Sylvia  J.  Eastman 


BERTRANU  *>M.  i  •-<* 
.-.Efft  01-    BO"  *•* 


HEA«M     C 


GETHSEMANE  AND 
AFTER 


GETHSEMANE   AND 
AFTER 


A  NEW  SETTING  OF  AN 
OLD  STORY 


By 


The  Reverend  Cyrus  Townsend  Brady 
LL.D. 

Rector  of  Trinity  Church,  Toledo,  Ohio 

And  Sometime  Archdeacon  of  Kansas,  Archdeacon 

of  Pennsylvania,  etc.y  etc. 


NEW  YORK 

MOFFAT,  YARD  &  COMPANY 
1907 


Copyright.  1907.  by 

MOFFAT,  YARD  &  COMPANY 
NBW  YORK 


Published  April,  1907 


URL 
SRLF, 


TO  MY  PARISHIONERS  IN  TOLEDO 

AND  TO  MY  FRIENDS 
THERE  AND  EVERYWHERE 

I  DEDICATE 

THIS  ATTEMPT  TO  BRING  HOME  TO 

HUMANITY  THE  REALITIES  OF 

OUR  LORD'S  PASSION 


PREFATORY  NOTE 

I  have  written  this  book  with  the  prayer  that 
it  may  be  read  by  many  to  whom  the  Gospel 
narratives  are  as  sealed  books.  The  Bible  is  a 
volume  which  everybody  respects,  which  few 
people  read,  and  which  fewer  study.  I  cherish 
the  hope  that  some  into  whose  hands  this  little 
book  falls  may  be  inspired  by  it  to  examine  the 
Sacred  Story  to  see  whether  these  things  be 
true  or  not. 

I  have  followed  closely  the  order  of  events 
so  far  as  I  could  determine  them,  only  deviating 
from  the  record  in  one  instance — the  futile  at- 
tempt of  Judas  to  exculpate  himself.  This  took 
place  after  the  second  trial  of  Jesus  by  the 
Sanhedrin  in  the  morning,  and  the  money  was 
cast  down  in  the  Temple,  instead  of  in  the  High 
Priest's  house  as  I  have  arranged  it.  I  did  not 
deem  it  necessary  to  repeat  the  second  trial 
which  was  practically  identical  with  the  fiirst, 
hence  the  change  noted. 

C.  T.  B. 

Trinity  Rectory,   Toledo,   Ohio 
Passiontide,  1907 


CONTENTS 

PARTI 
GETHSEMANE 

I.    The  Agony  in  the  Garden       .        .        13 
II.    The  Betrayal       ....  25 

PART  II 
THE  TRIAL  BEFORE  THE  JEWS 

I.  Peter  at  the  Wicket  Gate         .        .  41 

II.  Questioned  by  Annas           .        .  45 

III.  The  Trial  Before  Caiaphas     .        .  51 

IV.  The  Sifting  of  Peter  .        .  63 
V.  The  Son  of  Perdition      ...  70 

PART  I II 
THE  PRAETORIUM 

I.  The  Accusation           ...  79 

II.  The  Justification     ....  89 

III.  The  Acquittal     ....  93 

IV.  The  Condemnation          ...  97 
V.  Behold  the  Man  117 


10  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 

PART  IV 
THE  VIA  DOLOROSA 

I.  The  Crossbearer  to  the  King        .         129 

II.  The  Daughters  of  Jerusalem        .        137 

PARTV 
GOLGOTHA 

I.     The  Crosses  on  the  Hill          ...      143 

II.  The  Hours  of  Darkness      .        .  158 

III.  The  New  Tomb  in  the  Garden  164 


PART  VI 
THE  RESURRECTION 

I.     The  Testimony  of  the  Soldiers  .  175 

II.     The  Testimony  of  the  Women.  .       191 

III.  The  Upper  Chamber           .        .  203 

IV.  The  Confession  of  the  Doubter  215 


PART  I. 
GETHSEMANE 


I. 

THE  AGONY  IN  THE  GARDEN 

SCENE:  A  wooded  garden,  or  olive  grove, 
on  the  slope  of  a  mountain,  within  which  is  an 
oil  press.  Time:  About  an  hour  after  midnight. 

The  moonlight  filters  through  the  thick  foliage 
of  the  olive  trees.  The  air  is  fragrant  with  blos- 
soms of  spring-time.  The  night  is  very  still  and 
calm;  over  all  a  brooding  silence.  Across  an  in- 
tervening valley  on  distant  hills  the  low  lights  of 
a  sleeping  city  gleam  faintly  in  the  silver  radiance 
of  moon  and  stars.  Not  far  away  a  mountain 
brook  trickles  through  the  stones  on  its  way 
down  the  hills.  Enter  through  the  gate  THE 
MAN  and  His  disciples,  a  little  band  of  eleven 
men.  They  halt  uncertainly  by  the  gate  within 
the  garden.  Separating  three  by  a  gesture  THE 
MAN  motions  to  the  remainder  to  sit  down  and 
wait  under  the  trees. 


14  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

JESUS 

(to  the  little  group) 

Sit  ye  here  while  I  go  and  pray  yonder. 
The  eight  with  murmurs  and  signs  of  obedience 
dispose  themselves  upon  the  grassy  banks  while 
Peter,  James  and  John,  the  three  chosen,  atten- 
tively watch  Him,  wondering. 

PETER 

(impulsively) 
Lord,  what  shall  we  do? 

JESUS 

(turning  away) 
Follow  Me. 

He  walks  slowly  some  distance  into  the  garden 
followed  by  the  three  chosen  disciples.    Presently 
He  stops  and  faces  them. 
JESUS 

My  soul  is  exceeding  sorrowful  even  unto 
death. 

They  press  closer  to  Him  to  hear  the  better.  He 
motions  to  them  to  stop  where  they  are  and  to  sit 
down.  JESUS 

Tarry  ye  here,  and  watch  with  Me. 
After  a  moment  He  turns   away   again    and 
plunges  farther  into  the  deeper  shadow  of  the 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  15 

trees,  leaving  the  three  disciples  on  their  knees. 
They  pray  softly  for  a  little  space,  but  it  is 
late,  they  are  tired,  they  gradually  sink  down 
upon  the  ground  and  presently  fall  asleep.  Those 
nearer  the  gate  have  preceded  them  and  are  al- 
ready slumbering. 

JESUS 

(kneeling  and  lifting  up  His  arms  after  a  long 
period  of  silent  prayer) 

O  My  Father,  if  it  be  possible,  let  this  cup  pass 
from  Me! 

He  buries  His  head  in  His  hands  and  falls  for- 
ward upon  His  face  exhausted. 

Nevertheless,  not  as  I  will,  but  as  Thou  wilt. 

The  anguish  of  His  soul  racks  His  body  with 
long  shudders  of  pain.  His  forehead  is  beaded 
with  sweat  and  drops  of  it  fall  upon  the  ground 
bedewing  the  grass.  There  is  a  longer  silence. 
Presently  He  lifts  His  head  and  gases  upward 
into  the  heavens  as  if  summoned  to  look.  He  is 
slowly  aware  of  a  soft  light  shining  in  the  dark- 
ness. It  takes  shape,  and  lo,  an  angel  ministers 
unto  Him.  He  looks  long  into  the  bright  still  face 
of  the  heavenly  vision,  and  draws  answer  and 
comfort  from  what  He  sees.  And  the  light  fades 
away.  THE  MAN  slowly  rises  and  retraces  His 


16  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

steps  till  He  comes  upon  the  prostrate  forms 
of  the  three  disciples.  A  short  distance  beyond 
them  He  discerns  the  larger  group  farther  away. 
All  are  sound  asleep. 

JESUS 

(laying  His  hand  upon  Peter,  the  nearest  of  the 
three  sleeping  figures) 

What !  Could  ye  not  watch  with  me  one  hour  ? 
Simon  Peter  awakens.  He  opens  his  eyes, 
raises  himself  upon  his  hands  and  then  suddenly 
springs  to  his  feet.  He  stands  before  THE  MAN 
in  shame  and  confusion.  His  hasty  movement  and 
startled  ejaculation  awaken  the  other  two  sleep- 
ers, and  they  also  get  to  their  feet  in  humiliation 
and  dismay. 

JESUS 

(to  James  and  John) 

What !  Could  ye  not  watch  with  Me  one  hour  ? 
The  two  men  stand  before  Him  in  deep  con- 
trition and  abasement.    They  know  not  what  to 
say. 

PETER 

Lord— I 

JAMES 

Master 

JOHN 
Rabbi — we 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  17 

Their  voices  die  envoy  in  the  silence. 

JESUS 

Watch  and  pray,  that  ye  enter  not  into  tempta- 
tion. 

PETER 

(with  intense  emphasis) 

Though  all  my  brethren  should  sleep  again,  yet 
will  I  not  sleep  while  Thou  prayest. 

JESUS 

The  spirit  indeed  is  willing,  but  the  flesh  is 
weak. 

He  again  turns  from  them  and  goes  a  second 
time  farther  toward  the  center  of  the  garden. 
The  three  disciples  stare  after  Him  till  His  form 
is  lost  in  the  darkness.  Peter  makes  an  impetu- 
ous movement  as  if  to  follow  Him,  but  is  re- 
strained by  the  others  after  a  little  struggle.  They 
kneel  and  pray  quietly  for  a  long  time,  until  at 
last  James  and  John  fall  asleep  and  finally  Peter, 
himself,  sits  down  upon  the  grass  with  his  back 
against  an  olive  tree,  and  again  he  is  overcome 
with  slumber. 

JESUS 

(kneeling  in   the  profound  depth  of  the  gar- 
den before  a  huge  boulder  between  two  of  the 


18  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

trees,  upon  which  He  outstretches  His  arms  and 
bows  His  head  upon  them) 

O,  My  Father,  if  this  cup  may  not  pass  away 
from  Me  except  I  drink  it,  Thy  will  be  done. 

After  a  long  pause  THE  MAN  rises  and  again 
retraces  His  steps.  He  stands  amazed  before  the 
three  sleepers.  And  as  before  He  stoops  down 
and  touches  Peter  on  the  shoulder. 

JESUS 

Simon,  sleepest  thou? 

And  once  more  the  three  disciples  awaken  and 
sit  up.  In  the  bewilderment  of  their  sudden 
arousing  they  do  not  fully  comprehend  t'he  situ- 
ation, but  when  they  realize  that  they  have  again 
failed  Him,  they  gaze  painfully  at  the  pale  face 
of  THE  MAN  faintly  glowing  as  if  with  light 
supernal  where  He  stands  in  the  shadow  of  the 
olive  trees  and  then  in  shame  and  despair  silently 
hide  their  faces  in  their  hands. 

JESUS 

Sleep  on  now  and  take  your  rest:  behold,  the 
hour  is  at  hand. 

He  turns  once  more  into  the  garden  and  again 
kneels  down  before  the  great  rock  at  the  farther 
side.  The  three  men  do  not  lift  their  faces  from 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  19 

their  hands  this  time.  They  listen,  however,  till 
the  footfalls  die  away.  Presently  they  hear  a 
voice.  Peter  rises  to  his  feet  and  leans  forward 
in  an  attitude  of  extreme  attention.  He  motions 
the  others  to  silence.  James  and  John  kneel  and 
listen.  Although  the  words  are  scarcely  breathed 
above  a  whisper,  they  still  hear  the  pleading 
voice  with  its  note  of  agonised  appeal. 

JESUS 

(within  the  garden) 

Abba,  Father,  all  things  are  possible  unto  Thee ; 
take  away  this  cup  from  Me! 

JOHN 

(in  an  agitated  whisper  to  James  his  brother) 
What  is  this  that  He  saith  ? 

JAMES 
(shaking  his  head  doubtfully) 

I  cannot  tell,  I 

PETER 

(enforcing  quiet  with  a  gesture) 
He  speaketh  again.     Be  still. 

JESUS 

(within   the  garden) 

Nevertheless  not  what  I  will,  O  Father,  but 
what  Thou  wilt. 


20  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

The  three  listen  further  but  no  other  sound 
comes  to  them. 

JOHN 

(in  painful  indecision) 
What  is  this  cup  that  He  must  drink? 

PETER 

(impulsively) 
Let  us  go  to  Him. 

JAMES 

(laying  a  restraining  hand  upon  him) 
He  bade  us  watch  here. 

PETER 

(in  bitter  self-reproach) 
And  we  have  twice  failed  Him. 
He  leans  against  a  tree  and  folds  his  arms. 
John  and  James  sit  closer  together  at  his  feet. 
There  is  a  long  silence.  Peter  nods  and  recovers 
himself  with  a  start. 

PETER 

(after  listening  in  vain) 
Perchance  He  sleeps. 

JAMES 
(slowly) 
It  may  be  so. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  21 

JOHN 
(apprehensively) 

I  hear  no  sound. 

A  longer  pause.  John  and  James  hearing  noth- 
ing and  tired  with  listening  at  last  fall  asleep 
again.  Peter  turns  and  rests  his  head  on  his  arms 
and  these  in  a  crotch  of  the  crooked  tree  which 
supports  him.  He  prays  silently,  fighting  against 
sleep  until  finally  he,  too,  gives  way.  He  awakens 
a  third  time  to  a  touch.  He  straightens  himself 
and  opens  his  eyes  and  once  more  confronts  THE 
MAN.  The  agony  and  suffering  in  Jesus'  face 
have  disappeared.  The  sorrow  and  incertitude 
have  given  place  to  an  ineffable  calm.  It  is  the 
Christ  of  the  morning,  not  of  the  midnight,  of 
light,  not  of  darkness,  who  looks  at  the  disciple 
now.  THE  MAN'S  voice  is  once  more  calm, 
even  and  steady.  The  peace  of  decision  has  sup- 
planted the  turmoil  of  the  night.  Peter  opens  his 
mouth  to  speak  words  of  protestation  and  ex- 
cuse. 

JESUS 

(silencing  him  with  a  gesture  and  a  word) 

It  is  enough.  (He  turns  to  the  other  two  and 
awakens  them  in  turn.)  Why  sleep  ye?  Rise 
and  pray  lest  ye  enter  into  temptation. 


22  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

The  three  cluster  about  Him  shamefaced  and 
in  deep  abasement  of  heart.    He  turns  away. 


JESUS 
(to  the  faithless  watchers) 

Follow  Me. 

He  walks  toward  the  gate  followed  by  the 
three  men  whom  He  had  chosen  and  who  had 
failed  Him.  He  stops  by  the  side  of  the  eight 
who  have  slept  peacefully  through  all.  He  looks 
at  them  a  moment  or  two  in  silence.  He  turns 
and  points  outside  the  garden  toward  the  city. 
Flickering  lights  appear  in  the  road  below,  and 
are  seen  intermittently  through  the  trees.  Faint 
noises  are  heard;  a  trampling  as  of  footsteps,  a 
subdued  murmur  of  voices,  a  ring  of  steel  on 
steel. 

JESUS 

The  hour  is  come. 

He  motions  the  three  to  awaken  the  others. 
They  rise  to  their  feet  sleepily  and  all  uncompre- 
hending look  uncertainly  about  them. 

JESUS 
(stepping  forward  into   the  open  and  cleared 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  23 

space  about  the  gate  where  the  moonlight  shines 
brightest) 

Let  us  be  going. 

The  tumult  outside  grows  louder.  The  noise  of 
the  approach  of  a  considerable  band  of  men  is 
now  plainly  heard  by  all.  Lurid  flames  from 
smoking  torches  mingle  with  the  pure  radiance 
of  the  white  moonlight  and  stream  over  wall  and 
hedge-row  into  the  garden  itself.  THE  MAN'S 
figure  in  the  foregrdund  is  brightly  illuminated, 
projected  against  the  nervous  huddle  of  His  fol- 
lowers in  the  half  light  on  the  edge  of  the  clear- 
ing, and  all  rising  against  the  background  of  im- 
penetrable darkness  of  the  deeper  shade  where 
He  had  prayed. 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 

(outside  the  gate) 

Halt. 

With  a  final  movement  the  noise  outside  ceases 
abruptly  as  the  moving  men  come  to  a  sudden 
stop.  The  clash  of  sword  against  armour  which 
sends  a  clear,  gentle,  ringing  sound  through  the 
night,  the  fall  of  the  butts  of  staves,  or  spears, 
against  the  stones  of  the  way  bespeak  armed  men, 


24  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

soldiery.    Again  in  the  pause  the  officer's  voice 
is  heard  but  now  less  sharply. 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 

(questioning) 

Art  sure  the  Nazarene  is  here? 
Another  voice  which  the  men  at  Jesus'  back 
recognize  with  a  start  of  horror  and  amazement 
answers : 

JUDAS 

(with  confident  assurance) 
It  is  His  custom  here  to  pray. 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 

(still  unconvinced) 
And  how  shall  we  know  this  Galilean? 

JUDAS 

(emphatically) 
Whomsoever  I  shall  kiss,  that  same  is  He. 

JESUS 

(turning  to  the  little  band  and  with  a  sweeping 
gesture,  pointing  beyond  the  gate) 
Behold,  he  that  betrayeth  Me  is  at  hand. 


II 

THE  BETRAYAL 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 
(from  the  roadway  without  the  garden) 

Out  swords.     Forward. 

After  a  moment  he  enters  the  garden,  accom- 
panied by  Judas  Iscariot  and  a  lieutenant,  or  under 
officer,  and  attended  by  a  number  of  men  in  uni- 
form and  armour,  soldiers  of  the  temple  guard 
with  swords  and  spears,  and  a  body  of  constables 
or  civil  officers,  together  with  servants  in  the 
chief  priests'  retinue  bearing  staves  and  wands 
of  office.  A  few  stragglers  follow  after,  among 
them  a  young  man  evidently  just  aroused  from 
sleep,  for  he  is  naked  save  for  a  linen  garment 
hurriedly  cast  about  his  loins.  As  they  pass 
through  the  narrow  gate  the  escort,  at  a  signal 
from  the  officers,  opens  and  fills  the  space  near- 
est the  wall.  The  men  composing  it  are  so  many 
that  they  extend  about  the  clearing  in  a  circle; 
THE  MAN  and  His  disciples  within  and  to  one 
side.  Near  them  stand  the  captain  of  the  Temple 
Guard,  the  lieutenant,  a  chief  servant  of  the  High 
Priest,  Judas  Iscariot  and  THE  MAN. 


26  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

Jesus,  motioning  back  the  eleven,  steps  for- 
ward. As  the  soldiers  and  servants  take  their 
places,  Peter,  John,  James  and  Thomas  press 
closer  to  Him  than  the  others  as  if  they  would 
follow  Him  at  all  hazards.  Not  waiting  to  be 
interrogated  He  speaks. 

JESUS 
Whom  seek  ye? 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 
(curtly) 

Jesus  of  Nazareth. 

JESUS 

I  am  He. 

Such  is  the  nobleness  of  His  aspect  and  the 
majesty  of  His  bearing  as  He  steps  nearer  to  the 
soldiery,  widening  the  distance  between  Himself 
and  Peter,  the  nearest  of  the  eleven,  that  they  in- 
stinctively recoil  before  the  light  that  seems  to 
radiate  from  His  person.  Some  of  them  give 
backward  and  fall  to  the  ground.  He  stops  and 
again  addresses  them.  The  Temple  Captain 
nearest  to  Him  gazes  at  Him  in  surprise.  Judas 
stares  in  sickly  astonishment  as  he  notes  the  effect 
of  His  approach  upon  his  companions.  The 
Iscariot  struggles  against  the  thrill  of  horror  and 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  27 

terror  that  pervades  his  soul  and  shakes  his  body 
like  unto  a  man  with  the  palsy.  Seeing  the  con- 
dition of  His  enemies,  THE  MAN  repeats  His 
question. 

JESUS 

Whom  seek  ye  ? 

VOICES 

(from  the  crowd,  which,  seeing  itself  confront- 
ed only  by  a  mild-voiced,  unarmed  man  of 
peaceful  bearing,  attended  by  a  terror-palsied 
little  handful  of  poor  men  evidently  fearful  to 
the  verge  of  panic,  regains  its  composure  to  a 
degree  at  least) 

Jesus  of  Nazareth. 

JESUS 

I  have  told  you  that  I  am  He. 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 

{turning  to  Judas  and  with  cutting  contempt  in 
his  voice  and  bearing) 

Man  of  Kerioth,  is  this  true? 

JUDAS 

(in  a  broken,  stammering  voice,  fawning  upon 
Jesus) 

Rabbi ! 

He  approaches  nearer  to  THE  MAN  as  he 


28  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

speaks  and  then  stops  hesitant,  afraid,  appalled. 

JESUS 
Friend,  that  thou  doest  do  quickly. 

JUDAS 

(desperately) 
Hail,  Master ! 

By  a  violent  effort,  assuming  an  exaggerated 
air  of  respect,  he  steps  close  to  THE  MAN  and 
kisses  Him. 

JESUS 

Judas,  betrayest  thou  the  Son  of  Man  with  a 
kiss  ? 

JUDAS 

(hoarsely,  constraining  himself  to  speak  to  the 
Temple  Captain) 
This  is  He :  take  Him  and  lead  Him  away  safe- 

iy. 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 

(quickly) 

Seize  the  Nazarene. 

Two  or  three  of  the  soldiers  advance  to  lay 
hands  on  Jesus.  The  disciples  nearest  THE 
MAN  step  forward. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  29 

PETER  and  THOMAS 
(who  alone  bear  arms) 
Lord,  shall  we  smite  with  the  sword? 

JESUS 

Put  up  again  thy  sword  into  his  place 

But  even  as  He  speaks,  Peter  who  has  moved 
more  quickly  than  Thomas  and  has  already  whip- 
ped his  sword  from  its  sheath,  strikes  recklessly 
and  furiously  with  all  the  force  of  his  powerful 
arm  at  the  nearest  enemy,  who  happens  to  be  a 
man  named  Malchus,  a  servant  of  the  High 
Priest.  The  man,  taken  by  surprise,  makes  an  in- 
effectual effort  to  ward  off  the  blow.  His  staff 
is  beaten  aside  and  the  sharp  blade  falls  upon  the 
side  of  his  face  nearly  severing  the  ear  from  his 
head.  He  shrieks  with  pain.  There  is  a  roar  of. 
rage  from  the  men.  Swords  flash  in  the  light. 
The  Temple  Captain  springs  forward  with  bared 
blade  between  THE  MAN  and  the  Temple 
Guard.  Peter  stands  aghast  and  trembling,  star- 
ing at  his  bloody  sword,  his  sudden  passion  hav- 
ing spent  itself. 

JESUS 

All  they  that  take  the  sword  shall  perish  with 
the  sword.      (To  Peter  He  says  reprovingly) 


30  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

Thinkest  thou  that  I  can  not  now  pray  to  My 
Father  and  He  shall  even  now  give  Me  more 
than  twelve  legions  of  angels. 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 

(impatiently) 
Seize  Him. 

JESUS 

(turning  toward  the  wounded  man  now  being 
succoured  by  his  companions) 
Suffer  ye  thus  far. 

He  touches  the  servant's  ear  with  His  finger 
and  heals  him  of  his  hurt. 

MALCHUS 

(in  grateful  amazement  at  the  sudden  relief) 
Rabbi,  I  thank  Thee. 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 

(peremptorily) 

We  waste  words.     Bind  Him  and  let  us  go 
hence. 

JUDAS 

(to  fill  the  measure  of  his  infamy,  pointing  to  the 
other  Galileans) 
And  what  of  these,  most  noble  Captain  ? 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  31 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 

(indifferently) 

Take  them  all  and  let  us  make  an  end  to  the 
business. 

The  soldiers  advance  at  command.  The  dis- 
ciples shrink  back.  Two  men  lay  hands  on  THE 
MAN  entirely  unresisting.  He  speaks  loudly 
and  quickly  to  attract  attention  to  Himself  and 
give  His  disciples  time  to  escape. 

JESUS 

(questioning  the  men  who  hold  Him) 
Are   ye   come   out   as   against   a   thief   with 
swords  and  staves  for  to  take  Me?     (The  men 
binding  His  hands  handle  Him  roughly  with 
mockery  while  He  protests)    I  sat  daily  with  you 
teaching  in  the  temple  and  ye  laid  no  hold  on  Me ! 
The  Temple  Captain  laughs  harshly  and  mo- 
tions to  his  men  to  proceed. 

JESUS 

(looking  at  him  fixedly  and  still  offering  no  re- 
sistance) 

This  is  your  hour,  and  the  power  of  darkness. 

At  this  moment  the  eleven  as  if  possessed  by 
a  sudden  impulse  of  panic  turn  and  plunge  into 
the  darkness  beneath  the  trees.  They  can  be 


32  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

heard  running  and  crashing  through  the  vines 
and  undergrowth  and  leaping  over  the  wall  in 
the  background.  Some  of  the  soldiers  and  the 
lieutenant  follow  them  for  a  little  space. 

MALCHUS 

(loudly  interrupting) 
The  others  fly. 

JUDAS 

(urgently  to  the  Captain) 
They  will  escape. 

JESUS 

(eager  to  save  His  followers) 
If,  therefore  ye  seek  Me,  let  these  go  their  way. 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 
(to  his  men) 

Let  them  go.  We  have  here  all  that  we  need. 
(Turning  to  Judas)  Thou  hast  done  thy  work, 
and  earned  thy  money  well. 

Judas  quails  before  his  undisguised  sneer  and 
turns  to  confront  Jesus  who  looks  at  him  in  deep 
commiseration.  For  a  moment  Judas  boldly 
strives  to  sustain  that  glance.  He  fails  utterly. 
His  own  vision  is  beaten  down  by  the  steady, 
heart  searching,  pitying  glance  of  his  Master 
and  Lord.  He  shudders,  hides  his  face  in  his 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  33 

hands,  turns  away  reeling  and  disappears  in  the 
night. 

MALCHUS 
(to  the  Captain) 
Shall  we  follow  him? 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 

(sardonically) 

Let  him  go  with  his  treacheries.    We  are  well 
rid  of  him. 

JESUS 

All  this  is  come  to  pass  that  the  Scriptures  of 
the  prophets  might  be  fulfilled. 

THE  LIEUTENANT 

(returning) 

We  can  find  none  of  them  but  this  youth. 
He  drags  a  certain  young  man  into  the  center 
of  the  group. 

JESUS 
(Praying) 

Father,  I  thank  Thee  that  of  them  which  Thou 
gavest  Me  have  I  lost  none. 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 
(to  the  young  prisoner) 
Who  art  thou? 


34  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

THE  YOUTH 

(disregarding  the  officer  and  turning  to  THE 
MAN  and  stretching  out  his  hands) 

Master. 

Jesus  looks  kindly  upon  him  and  then  with  a 
sudden  movement  the  youth  wrenches  himself 
free  and  amid  loud  laughter  leaps  away  naked  in 
the  darkness  leaving  his  linen  garment  in  the 
hands  of  his  captors. 

JESUS 

(while  the  soldiers  lash  together  his  hands  be- 
hind him) 

I  have  trodden  the  wine  press  alone,  and  of 
the  people  there  was  none  with  Me 

MALCHUS 
(interrupting) 
What  sayest  thou,  Nazarene? 

JESUS 

(continuing) 

The  cup  which  My  Father  hath  given  Me  shall 
I  not  drink  it? 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 

(to  the  soldiers) 
Is  He  bound? 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  35 

A  SOLDIER 
(saluting) 
Safely  lashed,  sir. 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 
(pointing  with  his  weapon) 
Forward  then. 

THE  LIEUTENANT 

(stepping  to  the  head  of  the  column  which  is 
rapidly  forming) 
Whither,  sir? 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 
(sheathing  his  sword) 
Take  Him  to  Annas. 

They  start  forward,  Jesus  in  the  midst  of  them, 
and  pour  through  the  gate  upon  the  road. 

MALCHUS 

(with  half  contemptuous  pity) 
Thou  shalt  drink  to  the  dregs  the  cup  of  trem- 
bling, the  cup  of  the  Lord's  fury  before  Thou  art 
through  with  the  High  Priest,  O  Nazarene! 

JESUS 

In  the  world  ye  shall  have  tribulation:  but  be 
of  good  cheer ;  I  have  overcome  the  world. 
Malchus   laughs   with   incredulous   mockery. 


36  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

The  men,  led  "by  their  officers,  march  down  the 
road  with  their  prisoner,  talking  and  laughing 
over  the  events  of  the  night.  The  sounds  die 
away,  the  lights  disappear.  The  silence  comes 
again.  Out  of  the  darkness  creeps  stealthily  a 
crouching  figure.  He  peers  fearfully  about  him 
and  listens  furtively.  Seeing  no  one,  at  last  he 
rises  and  slips  cautiously  out  into  the  moonlight. 
Then  he  kneels  down  on  the  ground  and  lifting 
his  hands  to  heaven  wrestles  and  writhes  in  an 
agony  of  voiceless  prayer  and  abiding  shame. 

A  sound,  a  breaking  twig,  startles  him.  He 
rises,  shrinks  back  and  gathering  his  garments 
about  him,  as  if  for  instant  flight,  looks  fixedly 
in  deep  anxiety  under  the  trees.  Presently  he 
speaks. 

PETER 

(softly  and  in  the  trembling  voice  of  fear) 
Who  cometh? 

JOHN 

(entering  the  clearing) 
It  is  I. 

PETER 

(eagerly  grasping  him  by  the  shoulder) 
The  Master? 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  37 

JOHN 

(answering) 
He  is  numbered  with  the  transgressors  .     .    . 

PETER 

(taking  the  words  of  the  other  disciple's  mouth) 
The  chastisement  of  our  peace  is  upon  Him. 

JOHN 

(wringing  his  hands) 
All  have  forsaken  Him  and  fled. 

PETER 
(gloomily) 

The  shepherd  is  smitten,  the  sheep  are  scat- 
tered abroad. 

JOHN 

(bowed  down  with  sorrow) 
Ay,  said  He  not  so  last  night  in  the  upper 
chamber? 

PETER 

(with  sudden  resolution) 
Let  us  go  after  Him  that  we  may  die  with 
Him. 

The  two  men  clasp  hands,  stare  at  each  other 


38  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

a  moment  and  then,  as  if  moved  by  a  common  im- 
pulse, turn  together,  plunge  through  the  gate 
and  run  down  the  road  over  which  the  Master 
had  walked.  The  garden  is  left  alone  and  silent. 


PART  II. 
THE  TRIAL  BEFORE  THE  JEWS 


I. 

PETER  AT  THE  WICKET  GATE 

SCENE:  An  open  courtyard  enclosed  on  three 
sides  by  low  houses  of  stone.  On  the  right  is 
the  dwelling  place  of  Annas;  on  the  left  that  of 
his  son,  Caiaphas,  the  High  Priest.  At  the  back 
connecting  the  two  are  offices  and  quarters  for 
the  extensive  retinue,  personal  and  official,  of  the 
two  households.  A  wall  separates  the  courtyard 
from  the  street  in  front.  The  main  entrance  gate 
is  open  and  guarded.  To  the  left  there  is  a  guard 
room  filled  with  armed  retainers  and  to  the  right  a 
similar  room  with  access  to  the  street  and  to  the 
courtyard  through  smaller  doors.  The  court, 
which  is  paved  rvith  stone,  is  filled  with  a  noisy 
and  restless  crowd  of  armed  guards,  servants,  re- 
tainers, and  men  and  women  of  Jesusalem,  gener- 
ally of  the  baser  sort.  Messengers  come  and  go. 
The  place  is  full  of  excitement.  But  a  short 
time  has  elapsed  since  the  events  in  the  Garden. 
It  is  still  dark.  The  night  air  is  damp.  The 
overcast  sky  gives  promise  of  rain.  At  intervals 


42  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

the  moonlight  breaks  fitfully  through  the  driving 
clouds.  Groups  of  people  crowd  around  braziers 
filled  with  live  coals,  placed  in  the  center  of  the 
court.  Torches  and  hanging  lamps  throw  a 
lurid  light  over  the  scene.  The  noise  of  many 
voices  talking,  laughing,  questioning,  arguing, 
fills  the  air.  At  a  wicket  gate  to  the  right  a  man 
stands  entreating  entrance.  His  persistence 
awakens  suspicion  in  the  mind  of  the  maid  who 
acts  as  portress,  and  she  denies  him. 

THE  MAID 
(impatiently) 

Why  seek  ye  to  enter  here?    This  is  a  private 
gate. 

PETER 

(avoiding  the  question) 
I  would  fain  see  this  Jesus  of  Galilee. 

THE  MAID 
(suspiciously) 
Art  not  thou  also  one  of  this  man's  disciples? 

PETER 

(with  an  affectation  of  indifference) 
I  am  not. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  43 

THE  MAID 
(still  unsatisfied) 
Why  then    .    .    . 

She  is  interrupted  by  the  approach  of  John 
from  within  the  courtyard. 

JOHN 

I  pray  thee  (he  lays  his  hand  on  her  arm)  that 
thou  wilt  let  this  man  pass. 

THE  MAID 

(turning  and  scrutinizing  the  new-comer) 
And  wherefore? 

JOHN 
He  is  my  friend. 

THE  MAID 
And  who  art  thou  ? 

JOHN 

(looking  about  him  in  some  anxiety) 
The  son  of  Zebedee 

THE  MAID 
The  fishmonger? 

JOHN 
(smiling) 

Of  a  truth,  often  have  I  brought  fish  to  the 
High  Priest. 


44  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

THE  MAID 

(her  doubts  resolved) 
I  know  thee.    (To  Peter)    Enter  then. 
She  unlocks  the  wicket.    Peter  passes  through 
the  gate  and  crosses  the  room  to  the  Court,  when 
John  turns  to  him. 

JOHN 
I  outran  thee. 

PETER 
Thou  hast  advantage  in  thy  youth. 

JOHN 

But  when  I  missed  thee,  I  sought  thee  at  the 
gate. 

PETER 

(dismissing  the  matter) 
Where  have  they  taken  Him? 

JOHN 

(pointing  to  the  left) 
To  Annas. 

He  turns  from  Peter  and  ascends  the  steps  of 
the  portico  and  peers  in  through  the  door.  Peter 
starts  to  follow,  but  stops,  turns  back  and  ap- 
proaches one  of  the  groups  around  the  fire.  As 
he  stands  warming  his  hands,  from  some  far-off 
hillside  can  be  heard  the  faint  crowing  of  a  cock, 
which  apparently  at  that  time  Peter  does  not  no- 
tice. 


II 

QUESTIONED  BY  ANNAS 

SCENE:  Within  the  house  to  the  right.  Two 
men  of  imposing  presence  and  dignity  seated. 
The  great  age  of  one  and  the  respectful  deference 
in  the  manner  of  the  other  indicate  that  they 
are  closely  related.  Annas,  who  had  been  High 
priest,  and  who  had  been  deprived  of  his  office 
by  Roman  interference,  is  the  elder;  the  younger 
man,  already  in  the  prime  of  life,  of  majestic 
and  authoritative  appearance,  is  his  son-in-law, 
Caiaphas,  who  occupies  the  position  and  performs 
the  duties  of  High  Priest,  although,  in  the  opinion 
of  the  orthodox  Jew,  he  is  scarcely  more  than  a 
titular  high  priest;  the  dignities,  honors  and  pre- 
rogatives being  still  vested  in  Annas.  Before 
them,  with  His  hands  still  bound,  stands  THE 
MAN.  By  His  side  stand  the  Temple  Captain 
who  had  brought  Him  thither,  Malchus  and  one 
or  two  others  of  the  household.  Two  men  guard 
the  prisoner,  holding  the  ends  of  the  lashings  in 
their  hands.  Annas  has  been  plying  Jesus  with 
questions.  He  has  vainly  endeavored  to  ascertain 
who  His  disciples  are,  what  is  the  secret  of  the 
strange  doctrine  He  has  preached,  why  He  had 


46  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

allowed  Himself  to  be  proclaimed  King  of  the 
Jews  and  what  were  His  purposes  in  life,  the 
mainsprings  of  His  actions. 

ANNAS 

(testily,  to  the  attendants) 
Is  this  a  speechless  man  ye  have  brought  be- 
fore me? 

CAIAPHAS 
(ironically) 

As  a  sheep  before  her  shearers  is  dumb,  so  He 
openeth  not  His  mouth. 

ANNAS 

(trying  once  again) 
Nazarene ! 
Jesus  lifts  His  head  and  looks  him  in  the  face. 

ANNAS 

(with  all  the  authority  of  his  age  and  station 
striving  to  impress  the  prisoner) 

It  hath  come  to  me  that  on  the  Sabbath  day 
on  the  Mount  of  Olives  the  rude  Galileans  in 
Thy  following  hailed  Thee  as  King  of  Israel. 
Who  were  they  that  cried  Hosanna? 

Jesus  slightly  shakes  His  head,  but  answers 
nothing. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  47 

CAIAPHAS 
(angrily) 

He  answereth  not. 

He  half  rises  to  his  feet.  Annas  motions  him 
to  his  seat. 

ANNAS 

(to  Caiaphas) 

Yet  once  again  will  I  try. 

ANNAS 

(to  Jesus) 

I  perceive  that  for  a  long  time  Thou  hast 
troubled  Israel  with  strange  doctrines.  What  is 
it  Thou  dost  teach  ? 

JESUS 
(calmly) 

I  'spake  openly  to  the  world;  I  ever  taught 
in  the  synagogue  and  in  the  temple,  whither  the 
Jews  always  resort    .     .     . 
ANNAS 
But  what  is  the  secret  purpose  of  Thy  life? 

JESUS 
And  in  secret  have  I  said  nothing. 

ANNAS 
(impatiently) 

What  is  it  that  Thou  hast  taught  then  that  they 
call  Thee  King  of  Israel? 


48  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

JESUS 

Why  askest  thou  Me  ?  Ask  them  which  heard 
Me,  what  I  have  said  unto  them:  behold  they 
know  what  I  said. 

Annas  stamps  his  foot  and  gnashes  his  teeth 
with  rage  at  being  thus  braved.  The  Temple 
Captain,  quick  to  see  his  lord's  anger  and  ready 
to  take  his  cue  therefrom,  steps  close  to  Jesus 
and  strikes  Him  violently  on  the  face  with  his 
open  hand.  The  blood  flames  into  the  pale 
cheek  of  the  Master.  As  He  reels  from  the 
heavy  blow,  the  guards  roughly  jerk  Him  into  an 
erect  position  again  by  the  lashings  which  they 
hold,  and  the  cruel  cords  cut  into  His  wrists. 
THE  MAN  lifts  His  eyes,  closes  them  a  moment 
in  prayer  and  then  turns  to  His  cowardly  assail- 
ant. 

JESUS 

(mildly  to  the  Temple  Captain) 
If  I  have  spoken  evil,  bear  witness  of  the  evil ; 
but  if  well,  why  smitest  thou  Me? 

ANNAS 
(rising) 
We  will  have  Him  before  the  Sanhedrin. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  49 

CAIAPHAS 
(also  rising) 

Yea.  (to  Malchus)  Summon  the  other  mem- 
bers of  the  council  to  meet. 

MALCHUS 
At  what  hour,  Master? 

CAIAPHAS 

Immediately,  (to  the  Temple  Captain)  Take 
the  Nazarene  to  the  place  of  meeting  in  my  house 
across  the  court. 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 

(to  the  guards) 
This  way. 

As  they  approach  the  open  door  giving  upon 
the  porch,  voices  are  heard  without. 

A  SERVANT 
Thou  also  wast  with  Jesus  of  Galilee? 

PETER 

Woman,  I  know  not  what  thou  sayest. 
THE  MAN  stops,  listens.    The  guards  thrust 
Him  forward.    He  steps  out  on  the  portico  into 
the  light. 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 
Way  for  the  Nazarene! 


50  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

VOICES 

(from  those  on  the  portico) 
Lo!  He  comes. 

A  GREAT  ROAR  FROM  THE  CROWD 

The  King  of  the  Jews ! 

Peter,  unable  to  meet  THE  MAN  whom  he 
had  just  denied,  forces  his  way  roughly  through 
the  crowd  toward  the  entrance  gate,  where  he 
stands  with  his  back  turned  to  the  courtyard.  In 
the  thick  of  the  multitude  which  throngs  the  court 
THE  MAN  passes  John,  who  is  white-faced  and 
silent,  biting  his  lips  to  control  his  emotion.  Jesus 
and  His  beloved  disciple  exchange  one  glance 
and  are  severed.  Above  the  tumult  the  shrill 
clarion  of  a  cock  heralding  the  approaching  dawn 
is  heard  from  some  neighboring  garden.  THE 
MAN,  with  His  escort,  climbs  the  steps  of  the 
portico,  passes  through  the  colonnade  and  enters 
the  building  on  the  left,  followed  by  a  large  num- 
ber of  the  people  in  the  courtyard,  including 
John. 


Ill 

THE  TRIAL  BEFORE  CAIAPHAS 

SCENE:  The  council  chamber  in  the  house  of 
Caiaphas.  The  High  Priest  sits  on  a  dais.  Sur- 
rounding him  in  a  semi-circle  are  some  thirty 
venerable  and  dignified  men  all  seated.  Dividing 
the  room  is  a  low  stone  parapet,  with  an  opening 
in  the  middle  marked  by  two  stone  columns 
which  rise  to  the  roof,  emphasising  the  passage- 
way into  the  place  reserved  for  the  members  of 
the  court.  Tall  candelabra  and  swinging  oil 
lamps  illuminate  the  whole  scene.  THE  MAN 
still  guarded  as  before,  stands  in  the  opening 
between  the  columns.  The  space  without  the 
parapet  is  completely  filled  with  a  noisy  mul- 
titude. Close  against  the  stone  railing,  but 
in  the  corner  of  the  room,  stands  John.  Far  back 
from  the  parapet  on  a  bench,  looking  over  the 
crowd,  but  hidden  from  observation  by  the  ob- 
scurity of  the  corner,  is  Judas  Iscariot. 

The  room  is  filled  with  noise  and  confusion.  It 
is  as  unlike  a  solemn  and  orderly  court  of  justice 
as  it  is  possible  to  conceive.  The  officers  of  the 
court  have  repeatedly  cried  for  silence,  but  in 
vain.  The  faces  of  the  Sanhedrists  express 


52  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

various  emotions.  A  few  are  apparently  awed 
by  the  passionate  outbursts  of  the  mob;  one  or 
two  survey  the  prisoner  with  expressions  of  min- 
gled doubt  and  pity;  but  the  majority  look  about 
them  with  an  air  of  haughty  disdain.  The  hot 
tempered  Caiaphas,  in  particular,  looks  from  the 
prisoner  to  the  crowd  with  fiery  and  passionate 
indignation.  By  his  side  old  Annas  nods.  At 
the  ends  of  the  semi-circle  of  the  councillors  the 
scribes,  who  act  as  recorders  of  the  court,  glance 
nervously  about  them,  with  their  pens  idle.  They 
are  the  nearest  to  the  parapet  which  alone  re- 
strains the  people.  Finally  the  High  Priest  him- 
self rises,  convinced  that  no  less  authority  than 
his  own  will  avail  to  still  the  tumult. 

CAIAPHAS 
(lifting  his  hand) 

Silence ! 

(But  little  attention  is  paid  to  him  at  first  and 
he  repeats  his  command  in  a  voice  of  thunder) 

Silence !  Let  us  have  peace,  or  I  will  clear  the 
room.  Malchus,  call  the  Captain  of  the  Guard. 

Summoned  by  Malchus,  the  Temple  Captain, 
followed  by  a  squad  of  men,  enters  through  a 
doorway  from  the  guard  room  on  their  right  side, 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AF^ER.  53 

At  a  sign  from  Caiaphas,  he  takes  position  to  the 
right  and  rear  of  the  councillors.  The  noise  has 
gradually  subsided.  During  this  entrance  Caia- 
phas resumes  his  seat.  As  he  does  so,  one  of  the 
councillors  rises  and  interrogates  the  court. 

NICODEMUS 
(deferentially) 
Are  we  summoned  to  try  this  Nazarene? 

CAIAPHAS 
Thou  sayest. 

NICODEMUS 
(with  an  effort) 

It  is  not  lawful  to  meet  for  such  a  purpose, 
save  in  the  open  day,  and  .  .  . 

CAIAPHAS 

(leaning  forward  and  interrupting) 
Art  thou  also  a  Galilean? 
Nicodemus  hesitates  and  looks  about  him. 

CAIAPHAS 

(fiercely  striking  the  arm  of  the  bench) 
Answer ! 

Nicodemus  passes  his  hand  over  his  face, moist- 
ens his  lips,  looks  fearfully  around  him  at  the 
mocking  faces  of  his  compeers  and  sinks  to  his 


54  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

seat.  Caiaphas9  lip  curls  contemptuously  and  the 
People  burst  into  a  noisy  gust  of  derisive  laughter, 
which  he  permits  to  sweep  through  the  hall  un- 
checked for  a  moment. 

CAIAPHAS 

(to  the  Sanhedrists) 

We  are  not  here  to  determine  the  regularity  of 
this  assemblage  but  to  try  this  man  for  blasphemy 
and  sedition. 

Another  member  of  the  court  rises  in  his  place 
and  challenges  the  attention  of  the  high  priest. 

JOSEPH  OF  ARIMATHAEA 

(protestingly) 
Who  brings  the  charge  against  the  prisoner? 

CAIAPHAS  (defiantly) 
I  do. 

JOSEPH  OF  ARIMATHAEA 

(protestingly) 
But  thou  art  the  judge. 

CAIAPHAS 
(imperiously) 
The  charge  is  brought. 

JOSEPH  OF  ARIMATHAEA 

(firmly  but  with  deference  turning  to  the  others) 
Brethren 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  55 

CAIAPHAS 

(in  a  flame  of  passion  at  being  thus  braved) 
Do  you,  too,  follow  the  Man  of  Galilee? 

JOSEPH  OF  ARIMATHAEA 

(proudly) 

I  am  of  the  stock  of  Israel,  of  the  tribe  of 
Judah,  an  Hebrew  of  the  Hebrews.  I  serve 
the  God  of  my  fathers. 

CAIAPHAS 
(peremptorily) 

That  is  well  said.  Sit  ye  down  and  do  your  of- 
fice. I  take  the  responsibility. 

ANNAS 

(with  complacent  approval) 
Thou  art  mine  own  son. 

VOICES 

(from  the  crowd) 
A  trial !    Judgment ! 

CAIAPHAS 

(pointing  to  the  prisoner) 
This  man  is  accused  of  sedition  in  that  He  in- 
citeth  the  people  to  tumults,  riotings  and  disturb- 
ances of  the  peace  of  Jerusalem. 


56  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

A  murmur  arises  from  the  crowd,  which  Caia- 
phas  immediately  subdues.  He  continues : 

CAIAPHAS 
(pausing  a  moment  to  emphasize  what  follows) 

And  He  blasphemes  the  God  of  our  Fathers, 
the  God  of  Abraham  and  Isaac  and  Jacob,  in 
that  He  announces  Himself  the  Messiah. 

A  roar  of  jeering  execrations  bursts  from  the 
assemblage.  When  it  is  partially  quieted  Joseph 
of  Arimathaea  rises. 

JOSEPH  OF  ARIMATHAEA 
(speaking  to  the  councillors) 
Where  are  the  witnesses? 

CAIAPHAS 

(angrily  turning  toward  the  people) 
The  witnesses, 

A  number  of  men  crowded  against  the  rail 
raise  their  hands. 

CAIAPHAS 
(pointing) 

There,  (he  turns  to  the  scribes)  Question  ye 
the  witnesses  and  take  down  their  answers. 

Instantly  a  scene  of  confusion  ensues.  The 
witnesses  bring  all  sorts  of  impossible  and  absurd 
charges  against  THE  MAN. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  57 

WITNESSES 

He  worketh  on  the  Sabbath  Day. 

He  mingles  with  the  lepers. 

He  will  destroy  the  Temple. 

Blasphemer. 

He  mocketh  at  the  rulers  of  Israel. 

He  hath  fellowship  with  publicans. 

He  violateth  the  Law  of  Moses. 

Seditionary. 

He  is  a  wine  bibber  and  a  glutton. 

With  him  are  harlots. 

He  giveth  tribute  to  Csesar. 

He  will  build  a  new  temple  in  three  days. 

Without  hands,  ay,  without  hands! 

Is  He  a  God  to  do  this? 

The  witnesses  all  talk  at  once,  contradict  one 
another  and  in  no  way  agree.  When  quiet  is  at 
last  restored,  the  scribes  who  have  made  hasty 
notes  of  what  has  been  said,  are  instructed  to  read 
the  testimony,  which  is  so  absurd  and  inconsistent 
as  to  provoke  the  laughter  even  of  the  crowd. 

NlCODEMUS 

{speaking  quickly} 

Is  it  on  testimony  like  this  ye  would  convict 
a  man?  Behold,  not  one  agreeth  with  another. 


58  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

Joseph  of  Arimathaea  nods  his  head  in  acquies- 
cence. 

THE   FIRST   SCRIBE 
(rising  deferentially) 

With  permission  of  the  brethren  here  are  two 
in  accord.  This  man  (he  points  to  the  one  near- 
est him)  declareth  that  he  heard  this  fellow  say: 
I  am  able  to  destroy  the  temple  of  God  and  to 
build  it  in  three  days. 

THE  WITNESS 
(speaking  quickly) 
Ay,  those  were  His  very  words. 
The  other  scribe  rises  in  response  to  a  motion 
from  Caiaphas. 

THE  SECOND  SCRIBE 
(corroborating  his  fellow) 
And  I  have  here  record  of  one  who  says  the 
same. 

CAIAPHAS 
(anxiously) 
What  is  his  testimony? 

THE  SCRIBE 

(reading) 

He  declareth  that  he  heard  the  Nazarene  say: 
I  will  destroy  this  temple  that  is  made  with 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  59 

hands,  and  within  three  days  I  will  build  another 
made  without  hands. 

CAIAPHAS 

(triumphantly,  to  Joseph  and  Nicodemus) 
Art  satisfied  now? 

ANNAS 

(sententiously  nodding) 

At  the  mouth  of  two  witnesses  shall  the  matter 
be  established. 

CAIAPHAS 

(now  addressing  THE  MAN  who  has  stood 
absolutely  unmoved  during  the  whole  of  the  wild 
excitement  of  the  riotous  and  disorderly  pro- 
ceeding) 

Thou    hearest    that    with    which    Thou    art 
charged.    Answerest  Thou  nothing? 

VOICES 

(from  the  crowd) 
Yea,  let  Him  speak !    Let  Him  speak ! 

CAIAPHAS 
(persistently) 
What  is  it  which  these  witness  against  Thee? 

VOICES 
(as  before) 
Come !    Declare !    Declare ! 


60  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

CAIAPHAS 

(severely} 

Thou  wouldst  destroy  the  temple  made  with 
hands ;  that  is  sedition :  and  build  it  again  in  three 
days  without  hands;  that  is  blasphemy.  Art 
Thou  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  Blessed? 

JESUS 

(speaking  at  last) 
Thou  hast  said. 

CAIAPHAS 
(interrupting) 

I  adjure  Thee  by  the  living  God  that  Thou  tell 
us  whether  Thou  be  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  God  ? 

JESUS 
I  am. 

*  Once  more  the  crowd  bursts  into  tumult,  while 
Caiaphas  stands  as  one  petrified  with  astonish- 
ment and  horror.  The  members  of  the  court  tak- 
ing their  cue  from  the  head  of  it  stare  at  THE 
MAN  in  terrified  amazement. 

JESUS 

(raising  His  voice  until  the  clamor  and  the 
shouting  die  in  the  curiosity  to  hear  what  He 
would  say) 

Nevertheless,  I  say  unto  you,  hereafter  shall  ye 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  61 

see  the  Son  of  Man  sitting  on  the  right  hand  of 
power  and  coming  in  the  clouds  of  heaven. 

Caiaphas  springs  to  his  feet.  He  catches  the 
priestly  robe  he  wears  about  the  neck.  With  one 
sweep  of  his  powerful  arms,  he  tears  it  from 
seam  to  seam  and  throws  it  aside. 

CAIAPHAS 

{crying  with  all  the  power  of  his  voice) 
He  hath  spoken  blasphemy. 

VOICES 

(from  the  crowd) 
Ay,  ay,  blasphemy! 

CAIAPHAS 
(continuing) 

What  further  need  have  we  of  witnesses?  (He 
turns  to  the  elders)  Behold,  now,  ye  have  heard 
His  blasphemy;  what  think  ye? 

There  is  a  moment's  silence.  The  high  thin 
voice  of  the  oldest  man  on  the  bench  breaks  it. 


ANNAS 
(in  shrill  triumph) 


Death. 


62  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  SANHEDRIN 
(rapidly,  in  great  confusion,  one  after  another, 
with  the  exception  of  Nicodemus  and  Joseph  of 
Arimathaea,  whose  protests  are  howled  down  and 
unheeded.) 
Death!    He  is  guilty  of  death! 

CAIAPHAS 
(in  sneering   triumph) 

It  is  expedient  for  us  that  one  man  should  die 
for  the  people,  (to  the  Temple  Captain)  Take 
Him  away;  keep  Him  in  ward  until  the  morn- 
ing. Brethren,  we  will  meet  at  break  of  day  to 
consider  further  what  is  to  be  done. 

The  session  is  adjourned.  The  members  rise 
and  cluster  about  Caiaphas.  Nicodemus  and  Jos- 
eph of  Arimathaea  are  avoided  by  the  others  and 
stand  alone,  away  from  the  rest) 


IV. 
THE  SIFTING  OF  PETER 


THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 

Way  for  the  convicted. 

His  men  clear  a  passage  through  the  crowd 
which  has  now  become  a  ravening  mob  eager  to 
get  at  the  prisoner. 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 
(roughly) 

Make  way.  Fall  back.  Ye  shall  have  sport 
enough  in  the  guard  room  presently.  Back,  I 
say.  Free  passage. 

Gradually  he  forces  his  way  through  the  hall 
and  into  the  portico.  Faint  streaks  of  dawn  lace 
the  East.  The  glow  of  the  fires  pales  under  the 
light  of  breaking  day.  The  greater  multitude 
outside  which  has  not  been  able  to  get  into  the 
smaller  place  of  the  trial,  surges  toward  the  por- 
tico as  the  people  pour  out  of  the  narrow  en- 
trances, THE  MAN  led  by  the  Temple  Captain 
and  surrounded  by  the  guards  in  the  middle.  The 
prisoner  and  His  escort  pause  at  the  top  of  the 
steps  leading  down  to  the  court. 


64  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

VOICES 

(from  the  courtyard) 
What  of  the  trial? 

VOICES 

(from  the  portico) 

He  is  guilty  of  blasphemy  and  condemned  to 
death. 

VOICES 
(from  the  courtyard) 

Where  are  the  Galileans  who  cried,  Hosanna, 
now? 

A  kinsman  of  Malchus  who  had  been  with  him 
in  the  garden,  coming  out  with  the  rest  catches 
sight  of  Peter  standing  before  one  of  the  braziers 
immediately  in  front  of  THE  MAN.  He  leaps 
down  the  low  flight  of  steps  and  lays  his  hand 
upon  Peter. 

THE  KINSMAN  OF  MALCHUS 

(loudly) 

Of  a  truth  this  man  also  was  with  Him. 
The  crowd  surges  toward  the  disciple  yelling 
and  gnashing  upon  him  with  their  teeth.    Hands 
are  uplifted  to  strike  him  where  he  stands  un- 
guarded. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  65 

PETER 

(frightened} 
No,  No. 

THE  KINSMAN  OF  MALCHUS 
(persisting) 

Thou  art  a  Galilean. 

PETER 

(more  and  more  terrified  at  the  violent  dem' 
onstrations  of  the  mob  which  is  only  prevented 
from  seizing  him  by  its  many  members') 
No,  I  am  not.    I  am  not,  I  swear. 

A  BY-STANDER 
(roaring  out) 
Thy  speech  betrayeth  thee. 

PETER 

(desperately) 

Man,  I  know  not,  neither  understand  I  what 
thou  sayest. 

A  WOMAN 

(her  shrill  voice  rising  above  the  deeper  noise) 
This  man  was  with  Jesus,  the  Nazarene. 

PETER 

(his  hands  and  face  working  convulsively  as  he 
swears  and  protests) 


66  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

I  know  not  the  man,  I  tell  thee,  I  know  not 
the  man. 

THE  TEMPLE  CAPTAIN 

(who  has  been  an  uninterested  spectator  of  the 
colloquy,  and  has  delayed  his  march  long 
enough  for  such  a  trifle) 

Forward. 

Jesus  descends.  He  passes  Peter  and  looks 
upon  Him.  From  the  roof  of  an  outbuilding 
again  the  loud  crowing  of  a  cock  is  heard.  Peter 
stares  for  a  moment.  His  glance  falls.  His  hand 
clutches  his  breast  as  if  to  quench  the  fire  of  re- 
morse that  suddenly  flames  in  his  heart.  No 
more  than  Judas  can  the  denier  sustain  that  gen- 
tle, sorrowful,  pitying,  all  merciful  glance.  He 
turns  away  blindly,  forces  himself  through  the 
crowd,  which  is  now  interested  in  the  near  ap- 
proach of  THE  MAN,  and  disappears  without 
the  gate.  As  he  plunges  down  the  dark  street, 
a  little  band  of  women  and  one  or  two  men  meet 
him. 

A  VOICE 
(in  the  darkness) 
It  is  Peter. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  67 

PETER 
(hoarsely) 
Who  art  thou? 

THE  VOICE 

(gently) 

Mary  of  Magdala.    Simon,  what  of  the  Mas- 
ter? 

PETER 

(in  bitter  self  reproach) 
Judas  hath  betrayed  Him  and  I  have  denied 
Him — thrice ! 

MARY  OF  MAGDALA 
(in  grieved  amazement) 
Where  are  the  rest  of  His  Disciples? 

PETER 
(answering) 

John  is  within.    All  the  others  have  forsaken 
Him  and  fled,  but  you,  blessed  among  women. 

ANOTHER  VOICE 
{out  of  the  darkness) 
What  have  they  done  with  our  Lord? 

PETER 
(slowly) 
They  have  condemned  Him  to  death. 


68  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

A  woman's  scream  is  heard.  Peter  starts  and 
peers  at  the  little  band. 

MARY,  THE  WIFE  OF  CLEOP.AS 
(softly) 

It  is  His  mother. 

MARY,  THE  MOTHER  OF  JESUS 

(lamenting) 

The  sword!  The  sword!  That  shall  pierce 
mine  own  soul.  They  told  me  of  it  in  the  begin- 
ning. 

Peter  buries  his  face  in  his  hands  and  bursts 
into  tears. 

MARY  OF  MAGDALA 

(gently,  laying  her  hand  on  his  shoulder) 
He  forgave  me ;  He  will  forgive  thee. 

PETER 

(shaking  his  head) 
I  can  not  forgive  myself. 
He  disengages  her  hand  and  disappears  stag- 
gering down  the  street.    The  women  creep  fear- 
fully, closer  to  the  wall.    From  within,  the  noise 
of  hideous  outbursts  of  bitter  mockery  is  heard. 
Oaths,  curses,  protestations,  jeers,  mingle  with 
the  sound  of  blows  upon  quivering  flesh. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  69 

VOICES 
(within) 

Prophesy  unto  us,  thou  Christ,  who  is  he  that 
smote  Thee? 

Pandemonium  itself  is  let  loose.  Within  the 
guard  room,  whose  windows  give  upon  the  street, 
the  horror-struck,  heart-broken  women  see  THE 
MAN,  blindfolded,  tied  to  a  pillar,  beaten,  buf- 
feted, spat  upon,  stricken,  the  sport  and  play  of 
the  ribald  guard  and  the  lawless  mob. 

The  day  breaks,  the  streets  ail  with  people 
clamoring  for  admittance  at  the  gates.  The  little 
group  of  women  is  rudely  displaced  from  the 
windows  and  driven  to  the  outskirts  of  the  eager 
crowd  which  is  pressing  forward  to  participate 
in  the  terrible  baiting,  or  at  least  to  see  what  is 
going  on. 


V. 

THE  SON  OF  PERDITION 

The  council  room  empties  itself  of  the  specta- 
tors; the  last  to  leave  it  is  John.  He  passes  by 
the  remaining  person  without  the  parapet,  Judas 
Iscariot.  He  is  completely  in  Judas  Iscariot's 
power.  He  knows  that  the  Betrayer  has  but  to  say 
the  word  and  he  too  will  be  apprehended,  but  a 
new  courage  has  come  to  John.  He  draws  his 
garment  closer  to  him  as  if  to  avoid  the  contam- 
ination of  a  possible  touch,  looks  the  traitor 
straight  in  the  face  with  bitter  disdain  and  con- 
tempt utterly  unlike  the  glance  of  Jesus  at  Peter 
— and  passes  out.  The  High  Priest  and  his  fol- 
lowing now  prepare  to  leave. 

CAIAPHAS 

Brethren,  I  thank  you  for  the  worthy  manner 
in  which  the  most  of  you  (he  emphasizes  the  quali- 
fying phrase  with  a  fierce  look  at  Joseph  and 
Nicodemus  who  stand  nearest  the  door  separated 
from  the  others)  have  performed  your  high  and 
holy  office.  We  meet  again  at  daybreak.  Tis 
but  a  short  time.  Good  night. 

Judas  Iscariot  slowly  slinks  forward  through 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  71 

the  open  gate  where  his  Master  had  stood  and 
stops  before  the  dais.  He  sways  like  a  drunken 
man.  His  eyes  are  bloodshot;  his  face  is  pale; 
his  hands  pluck  nervously  at  his  ragged  beard; 
sweat  bedews  his  brow  beneath  his  dishevelled 
hair. 

JUDAS 

(in  a  shrill,  racked  voice) 
Wait. 

ANNAS 
(sneeringly) 
Lo,  the  betrayer. 

The  others  turn  and  group  about  him,  Caiaphas 
in  the  center.  Judas  extends  a  trembling  hand 
filled  with  pieces  of  money. 

JUDAS 

(falteringly) 
Take  back  that  thou  gavest  me. 

CAIAPHAS 
(with  cold  scorn) 
And  wherefore? 

JUDAS 

(gathering  strength) 

I  have  sinned  in  that  I  have  betrayed  the  in- 
nocent blood. 


72  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

CAIAPHAS 

(indifferently,  looking  around  to  the  other  mem- 
bers who  nod  their  heads  in  confirmation  as  he 
speaks) 

What  is  that  to  us? 

Judas  raises  his  hand  and  Caiaphas  silences 
him  with  a  threatening  gesture. 

CAIAPHAS 

(meaningly) 

See  them  to  that.  (Judas  again  iries  to  speak. 
Caiaphas  silences  him  with  an  imperious  com- 
mand. )  Out  of  the  way. 

Judas  stares  from  one  face  to  another,  meeting 
nothing  but  hatred,  avoidance  and  bitter  disdain. 
He  covers  his  face  with  his  hands  for  a  moment 
and  then  lifting  the  money  high  in  the  air,  he 
throws  it  at  the  feet  of  the  high  priest,  and  as 
the  thirty  pieces  ring  and  roll  upon  the  stone 
he  staggers  out  of  the  room. 

CAIAPHAS 

(frowning  at  the  traitor's  presumption,  to  a 
scribe) 

Gather  them  up. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  73 

As  they  are  handed  to  him,  he  turns  to  the 
others. 

CAIAPHAS 
(hesitating) 
What  shall  be  done  with  them? 

ANNAS 

(a  great  stickler  for  the  proprieties) 
It  is  not  lawful  for  to  put  them  into  the  treas- 
ury because  they  are  the  price  of  blood. 

CAIAPHAS 

(handing  it  to  Malchus) 
Take  them.    Go  thou  and  buy  with  them  the 
potter's  field.    We  will  use  it  as  a  burying  place 
for  strangers. 

ANNAS 
(smiling  grimly) 

Thou  hast  well  said.  And  that  field  shall  be 
called  Aceldama,  the  field  of  blood. 

After  leaving  the  room  Judas  steps  out  on  the 
porch.  The  noise  of  those  mocking  Christ  in  the 
guard  room  is  easily  heard  and  the  sound  cuts 
him  to  the  heart,  He  stands  uncertainly  at  the 
edge  of  the  porch  a  moment.  Someone  catches 
sight  of  him,  the  guard  room  being  all  too  small 


74  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

to  contain  those  who  would  fain  participate  in 
the  cruel  revelry.  A  bystander  springs  up  be- 
side him,  peers  into  his  face,  steps  back  and  points 
with  his  hand. 

THE  BYSTANDER. 
(in  noisy  contempt) 

Lo,  the  betrayer. 

Judas  stumbles  down  the  steps.  Upon  a  nearer 
view  of  his  convulsed  and  working  countenance, 
foam-flecked  lips  and  awful  eyes,  the  crowd  parts 
to  give  him  passage.  In  silence,  save  for  the 
tumult  which  rises  in  the  guard  room  in  terrible 
dissonance  and  continues  unintermittedly  over 
everything,  he  plunges  through  the  gate  and 
through  the  crowd  outside,  unseeing,  unknow- 
ing. His  garments  brush  by  a  little  group  of 
women.  Mary  of  Magdala  throws  her  cloak 
over  the  face  of  the  mother  of  Christ. 

MARY  OF  MAGDALA 
(whispering  to  the  others) 
Tis  Judas  Iscariot. 

Judas  reels  through  the  streets  until  he  reaches 
the  nearest  gate  in  the  city  wall.  Outside  beyond 
tht  rocky  road  the  slope  of  the  mountain  falls 
abruptly  into  the  narrow  ravine  of  the  brook  of 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  75 

Kidron.  From  one  of  the  crevices  in  the  rock  a 
low,  spreading  tree  with  purple  blossoms  and 
dark  green  leaves,  springs  far  out  over  the 
gulf.  Judas  methodically  tests  the  strength 
of  the  tree,  hastily  unwinds  his  cincture, 
carefully  knots  it  about  the  overhanging  limb, 
makes  a  slip  noose  of  the  other  end,  clasps 
it  about  his  neck  and  swings  off  over  the  black 
abyss.  With  superhuman  resolution  he  keeps 
his  hands  down  by  his  side.  Presently,  motion 
ceases  and  he  hangs  a  dead  weight  upon  the  little 
tree  which  bends  under  the  heavy  downward  pull 
of  his  inert,  lifeless  body. 

The  sky  is  suddenly  overcast,  a  flash  of  light- 
ning tears  athwart  the  heavens,  a  clap  of  thunder 
rolls  among  the  mountains.  A  man  staggers  up 
the  road.  Another  flash,  just  as  he  reaches  the 
tree,  illumines  again  the  face  of  the  ghastly, 
swinging,  lifeless  figure. 

PETER 

(starting  back) 

Tis  Judas,  the  betrayer,  and  I,  the  denier. 
(Throwing  himself  upon  the  rocks,  he  buries  his 
face  in  his  hands.)  O,  my  God,  my  God,  have 
mercy  on  me! 


76  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

The  wind  rises,  the  body  of  the  betrayer  sways 
to  and  fro  by  the  side  of  the  denier — the  denier 
repentant.  The  rain  beats  upon  the  dead  and  the 
living,  the  just  and  the  unjust.  But  the  sudden 
storm  dies  as  quickly  as  it  came.  Peter  rises  to 
his  feet  and  looks  about  him.  Half  of  the  tree 
has  gone.  No  body  swings  in  the  wind.  It  is 
lighter  now.  He  creeps  fearfully  to  the  edge  of 
the  cliff  and  peers  over.  Below  he  sees  dimly  a 
huddled  heap,  dark  in  the  ravine.  The  son  of 
perdition  has  gone  to  his  account. 


PART  III 
THE  PRAETORIUM 


THE  ACCUSATION 

SCENE:  The  Forum  or  public  square,  before 
the  royal  house  of  Herod,  now  used  as  the  resi- 
dence of  the  Roman  Procurator  of  Judea.  Jut- 
ting out  from  the  center  of  the  palace  fagade  is 
a  portico  or  platform  beautifully  paved  and  sur- 
rounded by  marble  columns.  This  pavement  is 
elevated  to  the  height  of  two  or  three  steps  above 
the  street.  Windows  open  upon  the  Forum  and 
from  the  front  of  the  palace  a  small  stone  bal- 
cony overlooks  the  portico  and  the  open  space 
beyond.  Time:  About  six  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing. 

Enter  from  the  street  THE  MAN  bound  and 
guarded  by  soldiers.  He  is  pale,  haggard,  ex- 
hausted, and  is  led  or  dragged  forward  by  a  rope 
around  His  neck.  Accompanying  Him  are  Caia- 
phas,  the  High  Priest,  Annas,  the  venerable  mem- 
bers of  the  Sanhedrin,  other  priests,  Temple 
guards,  Temple  attendants  and  servants,  Scribes, 
Pharisees,  and  a  constantly  growing  number  of 


80  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

people  of  all  sorts  and  conditions,  including  many 
women  and  not  a  few  children.  The  chief  priests 
and  other  ecclesiastics  wear  the  full  vestments 
of  their  sacred  office. 

Since  daybreak  there  has  been  a  brief  session 
of  the  Sanhedrin  in  the  Temple,  at  which  the 
guilt  of  THE  MAN  has  been  reaffirmed  upon 
His  own  testimony  and  He  has  been  condemned 
to  death.  Inasmuch  as  the  Jews  have  no  longer 
capital  jurisdiction,  Jesus  must  now  be  delivered 
to  the  Roman  authorities  in  order  that  the  death 
sentence  may  be  carried  out. 

By  Caiaphas'  direction  the  cortege  comes  to 
a  stop  before  the  raised  portico  and  certain  of 
the  Temple  servants  mount  the  stairs  and  accost 
the  Roman  sentry  on  guard  before  the  palace. 
By  him  they  are  admitted  to  the  palace  whence 
they  presently  return  followed  by  the  Roman  Gov- 
ernor, Pontius  Pilate.  He  advances  to  the  edge 
of  the  portico,  and  frowning  with  ill-dissembled 
hatred  and  contempt,  looks  down  upon  the 
Forum,  now  rapidly  filling  with  a  vast 
multitude  of  restless  and  disorderly  people.  Mean- 
while, Annas,  Caiaphas  and  others  in  authority, 
have  mounted  the  steps  to  the  pavement  of  the 
platform,  and  Jesus,  with  His  immediate  guard, 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  81 

has  been  roughly  forced  to  accompany  them.  As 
they  catch  sight  of  THE  MAN  clearly  in  view 
on  the  edge  of  the  raised  portico,  a  great  roar 
rises  from  the  Forum. 

THE  MULTITUDE 
(yelling  loudly) 
The  Nazarene! 

Pilate  looks  curiously  at  THE  MAN,  imperi- 
ously waves  the  crowd  into  silence,  then  turns  to 
the  group  on  the  portico. 

PILATE 

(with  the  bluff  shortness  of  a  soldier) 
What  seek  ye  of  me? 

CAIAPHAS 

(pointing  to  the  bound  figure  of  Jesus) 
Most  noble  Roman,  the  punishment  of  a  man 
here  that  is  criminal. 

PILATE 

(coolly  surveying  Jesus  again  and  then  compre- 
hending in  his  disdainful  glance  the  High  Priest 
and  his  attendants) 

What  accusation  bring  ye  against  this  Man? 

Caiaphas  hesitates  and  then  takes  momentary 


82  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

council  with  Annas  and  those  nearest  him.  He  is 
evidently  reluctant  to  go  into  details  and  hopes 
to  browbeat  the  Governor  into  compliance  with 
their  demands  without  unpleasant  and  inadequate 
explanations. 

CAIAPHAS 

(with  a  disdain  that  quite  matches  that  of  the 
Procurator) 

If  this  Man  were  not  a  malefactor,  we  would 
not  have  delivered  Him  up  unto  thee. 

PILATE 

(impatient  of  such  evasion) 
What  hath  He  done? 

CAIAPHAS 
(sullenly) 
We  found  Him  perverting  our  nation. 

PILATE 

(smiling  with  cruel  enjoyment  at  the  High 
Priest's  dilemma) 

If  the  offense  be  against  your  law,  take  Him 
yourselves  and  judge  Him  according  to  your 
law. 

Caiaphas  looks  back  toward  his  supporters  in 
further  hesitation. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  83 

ANNAS 
(bitterly) 

We  have  no  longer  power  of  life  and  death, 
Oh,  Roman! 

A  SCRIBE 
(nodding  his  head) 
Ay,  thou  knowest. 

A  CHIEF  PRIEST 

(soothingly) 

It  is  not  lawful  for  us  to  put  any  man  to  death, 
lord. 

PILATE 
(surprised) 
Is  His  crime  a  capital  one,  then? 

•  CAIAPHAS 

(with  savage  and  bitter  emphasis) 
Thou  sayest. 

PILATE 

(with  increasing  interest) 
Declare  it. 

CAIAPHAS 
(triumphantly) 

He  forbade  the  people  to  give  tribute  unto 
Caesar. 


84  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

PILATE 

(turning  to  Jesus) 

Ha!     That  is  rebellion!     What  sayest  Thou 
to  that? 
Jesus  answers  him  not  a  word. 

CAIAPHAS 

(venomously  persistent) 
Nor  is  that  all,  Oh,  Governor. 

PILATE 
(turning) 
What  more,  Oh,  Priest? 

CAIAPHAS 

(emphatically) 

He  saith  that  He  Himself  is  Christ,  a  King ! 

PILATE 
(puzzled) 
A  King!    Whose  King? 

CAIAPHAS 

(sneeringly,  with  a  trace  of  mockery  and  laughter 
in  his  voice) 

Our  King!  , 

A  CHIEF  PRIEST 
(loudly,  pointing  his  finger) 
The  King  of  the  Jews ! 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  85 

The  mob,  which  has  been  reasonably  quiet, 
breaks  into  tumult.  Shouts  and  noises  mingled 
with  gusts  of  uproarious  laughter  arise  on  every 
side. 

THE  PEOPLE 

The  King  of  the  Jews! 

Hail!    Hail! 

All  Hail!    The  King! 

The  King  of  the  Jews. 

PILATE 

(signing  for  silence  and  turning  to  Jesus  in  won- 
derment not  unmixed  with  contempt) 

Art  Thou  the  King  of  the  Jews? 

The  High  Priest  and  the  members  of  Sanhed- 
rin  wince  under  the  Procurator's  scornful  words. 
The  people  point  and  jeer. 

CAIAPHAS 
(fiercely) 
He  is  a  seditionary. 

VOICES 
Rebel! 
Traitor ! 

A  King!    Ho,  ho! 
The  King  of  the  Jews! 


86  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

Jesus  of  Nazareth! 
'Hail!    All  hail! 

ANNAS 

(screaming  to  be  heard) 
Blasphemer  !     Accursed  ! 

THE  PEOPLE 
A  King,  King! 
Behold  Him. 


(sternly) 

Silence!  (He  raises  his  voice  tremendously 
until  he  is  at  last  heard  and  obeyed.)  Silence, 
ye  rabble!  (The  tumult  gradually  subsides.  The 
Procurator  turns  again  to  Jesus)  .  Hearest  Thou 
not  how  many  things  they  witness  against  Thee  ? 
What  sayest  Thou  ? 

Jesus  still  remains  silent. 

CAIAPHAS 
(white  and  angry) 
Let  Him  be  anathema. 

VOICES 

Amen  !    Amen  ! 
Betrayer  ! 
Liar! 

Blasphemer  ! 
Rebel! 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  87 

THE  MULTITUDE 

King !    King ! 

The  King  of  the  Jews ! 

This  time  the  merriment  has  mainly  vanished 
and  the  mockery  is  harsh  and  terrible.  The  ex- 
citement is  that  of  a  bitter  and  unreasoning  ha- 
tred. Through  it  all  Jesus,  although  broken  with 
the  suffering  of  the  long  night,  stands  calmly 
unmoved,  His  face  and  manner  expressing  chief- 
ly pity  for  the  ravening  mob. 

PILATE 

(surprised  at  the  power  of  the  storm  of  passion 
so  suddenly  and  inexplicably  evoked,  turns  to 
THE  MAN  again  and  questions  Him  with  great- 
er urgency  than  before) 
Answerest  Thou  nothing? 

VOICES 
Seditionar  y ! 
Drunkard ! 
Destroyer ! 
Blasphemer ! 

THE  MULTITUDE 
Hail!    Hail! 
King  of  the  Jews! 


88  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

PILATE 

(amazed  and  somewhat  alarmed  at  the  passion 
of  the  people) 

Behold  how  many  things  they  accuse  Thee 
of! 

Jesus  still  remains  absolutely  silent.  The  For- 
um is  now  seething  with  excitement.  The  people 
incited  by  the  priests  and  others  who  are  circu- 
lating among  them,  are  crowding  nearer  and 
clamoring  for  they  know  not  what.  Pilate  mo- 
tions in  vain  for  silence,  and  finally  directs  his 
guards  to  take  charge  of  the  prisoner  and  lead 
Him  within  the  palace. 

PILATE 
(to  Caiaphas) 

Wait  thou  here  and  I  will  return  to  thee  when 
I  have  had  speech  with  the  prisoner. 


II 

THE  JUSTIFICATION 

SCENE:  Within  the  Praetorium.  A  vast  hall. 
A  soldier  on  guard  at  the  door  some  distance 
away.  Pilate  seated  alone  with  Jesus  standing 
bound  before  him. 

PILATE 

(questioning  his  prisoner  with  wonderment  and 
some  note  of  pity  in  his  voice} 
Art  Thou  the  King  of  the  Jews? 

JESUS 

(quietly  bending  upon  the  Governor  a  mild  yet 
penetrating  gaze) 

Sayest  thou  this  thing  of  thyself,  or  d?d  others 
tell  it  thee  of  Me? 

PILATE 

(contemptuously) 

Am  I  a  Jew  ?    Thine  own  nation  and  the  chief 
priests   have   delivered   Thee   unto   me.     Didst 
not  hear  and  see  ?    What  hast  Thou  done  ? 
Jesus  slowly  shakes  His  head  but  says  nothing. 

PILATE 
And  Thy  kingdom? 


90  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

JESUS 
(softly) 

My  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world. 
THE  MAN  looks  out  of  the  nearest  east  win- 
dow toward  the  far  blue  of  the  Oriental  sky  of 
morning  as  if  He  saw,  beyond  its  void,  things  un- 
translatable to  other  human  souls. 

PILATE 

(impatient  of  what  he  believes  an  evasion) 
Where  then  doth  it  lie? 

JESUS 

(calmly  ignoring  His  questioner's  impatience) 
If  My  kingdom  were  of  this  world,  then  would 
My  servants  fight  that  I  should  not  be  delivered 
to  the  Jews.    .     .    . 

PILATE 
(scornfully) 
What  meanest  Thou? 

JESUS 

(indicating  by  a  movement  of  His  head  the  mul- 
titude without  whose  confused  shouts  and  cries 
are  heard  through  the  open  windows) 
But  now  is  My  kingdom  not  from  hence. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  91 

PILATE 

(incredulously) 
Art  Thou  a  king,  then  ? 

JESUS 

(inclining  His  head) 
Thou  sayest.    .    .    . 

PILATE 

(interrupting  swiftly) 
Not  I,  but  Thy  people. 

JESUS 

(lifting  His  head  with  conscious  dignity  and 
looking  straight  at  the  puzzled  Roman) 

That  I  am  a  King. 

His  voice  is  now  raised  until  it  rings  authorita- 
tively through  the  great  hall.  Pilate  stares  at 
Him  in  surprise  mingled  with  contempt. 

PILATE 
(impatiently) 

Thou  art  mad!  King  of  what?  Of  where? 
For  what  purpose? 

JESUS 

(continuing) 
To  this  end  was  I  born. 


92  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

PILATE 
(indifferently) 
To  what  end? 

JESUS 

(with  emphasis) 

And  for  this  cause  came  I  into  the  world,  that 
I  should  bear  witness  unto  the  truth. 

PILATE 
(questioning) 

And  Thy  subjects  to  whom  Thou  br ingest 
this  message? 

JESUS 

(forcibly  but  with  a  note  of  pleading  in  His 
voice) 

Everyone  that  is  of  the  truth  heareth  My 
voice. 

PILATE 

(  contemptuously) 
What  is  truth? 

He  laughs  slightly,  and,  giving  Jesus  no  time  to 
answer,  rises  summons  the  soldier  on  guard  at 
the  door  by  a  gesture,  and  turns  back  to  the 
portico. 

PILATE 
Follow  me. 


Ill 

THE  ACQUITTAL 

SCENE:  Outside  the  Praetorium  again.  The 
place  is  now  densely  packed  with  people  from 
whom  a  great  confused  roar  arises  as  Pilate,  fol- 
lowed by  Jesus  with  the  lictors  and  soldiers,  once 
more  appears  on  the  portico.  Pilate  raises  his 
hand  until  the  noise  dies  away. 

PILATE 
(clearly) 

Regarding  this  Man,  Jesus,  I  have  examined 
Him. 
He  pauses.  CAIAPHAS 

(clamorously) 
Give  sentence! 

THE  PEOPLE 
(echoing  him) 
A  sentence!    A  sentence! 

PILATE 

(loudly   and   emphatically,   looking  directly   at 
Caiaphas  and  speaking  deliberately) 
I  find  no  fault  in  Him  at  all. 


94  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

A  VOICE 

(from  the  Forum) 
Accursed. 

ANOTHER  VOICE 
Traitor ! 

THE  MULTITUDE 
Away  with  Him ! 
Death ! 
Judgment !    Judgment ! 

CAIAPHAS 

(pointing  to  the  seething  mob) 
Behold,  how  He  stirreth  up  the  people. 

ANNAS 

(insinuatingly) 

Thou  seest  He  teacheth  rebellion,  Oh,  Gover- 
nor! 

VOICES 
Traitor! 
Seditionary ! 
King !    King ! 

THE  MULTITUDE 
Sentence!    Give  Sentence! 
Blasphemer ! 
Away  with  Him! 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  95 

PILATE 

(with  stern  disgust) 

Silence !  Silence,  you  dogs !  (  When  quiet  is  in 
a  measure  restored,  he  continues,  but  now  with  a 
little  note  of  uncertainty  in  his  voice.)  I  find  no 
crime  in  this  Man. 

CAIAPHAS 

(raising  his  voice  until  it  is  heard  above  the  roar 
of  the  tumult) 

He  would  make  Himself  King ! 

VOICES 
Ay,  King!    King  of  the  Jews! 

CAIAPHAS 
(persisting) 
King  throughout  all  Judea,   beginning  from 

Galilee'  PILATE 

(with  a  relief  almost  inexpressible  in  his  voice) 
Is  He  then  a  Galilean? 

CAIAPHAS 
(wondering) 
Of  Nazareth  in  Galilee,  but  what  mattereth 

that?  PILATE 

(quickly) 
Take  Him  to  Herod,  the  Tetrarch  of  Galilee. 


96  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

CAIAPHAS 
(protesting) 

But,  Oh,  Roman 

PILATE 

(with  indignant  emphasis) 
Take  Him  to  Herod! 

He  turns  away  followed  by  the  lictors,  leaving 
a  centurion  and  the  soldiers  of  the  guard  in  the 
portico  confronting  the  priests  and  the  mob,  and 
disappears  in  the  palace.  After  a  moment  of 
amazed  and  indignant  silence,  Caiaphas  motions 
the  Temple  Captain  to  seize  the  prisoner.  He 
descends  the  steps  followed  by  THE  MAN  and 
all  of  the  other  Jews,  the  crowd  giving  way  as 
he  proceeds. 

CAIAPHAS 
(under  his  breath) 

Curses  on  the  Roman.  To  Herod  then  must  it 
be. 

The  mob  singing,  yelling,  dancing,  laughing, 
follows  after,  leaving  the  soldiers  alone  in  the  por- 
tico. The  last  to  leave  is  a  little  band  of  women 
supported  and  encouraged  by  a  solitary  young 
man,  whose  name  is  John.  The  centurion  looks 
at  them  sneeringly  and,  throwing  back  his  head, 
breaks  into  mocking  laughter  as  the  Forum  is 
cleared. 


IV 

THE  CONDEMNATION 

SCENE:  The  Praetorium  as  before.  Time: 
Later  in  the  morning.  A  blare  of  trum- 
pets is  heard  in  the  distance.  A  rabble  of 
boys  straggles  into  the  square  which  has  been 
deserted  save  for  chance  passers-by.  Down  one 
of  the  long  streets,  over  the  heads  of  the  children, 
the  vivid  sunlight  gleams  on  brazen  trumpets, 
on  spear  points  of  bright  steel,  and  is  flashed 
back  by  burnished  helmets.  A  body  of  soldiers 
follow  the  line  of  trumpeters.  After  the  soldiers 
walks  a  man  clad  in  royal  raiment,  with  an  air  of 
pride  and  authority  upon  his  handsome  but  dis- 
sipated countenance.  Attending  him  on  either 
side  are  his  officers  and  courtiers  followed  by 
Annas,  Caiaphas,  and  other  members  of  the  San- 
hedrin.  Back  of  them  walks  THE  MAN.  A 
royal  robe  of  spotless  white  is  thrown  about 
His  bound  person.  He  is  closely  and  securely 
guarded  by  more  soldiers  who  close  the  rear  of 
the  procession. 

The  little  procession  is  followed  by  an  immense 
number  of  people  of  all  ranks,  conditions  and  sta- 
tions. As  is  usual,  the  baser  sort  predominates, 


98  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

many  of  the  riffraff  of  the  city  having  taken  ad- 
vantage of  the  immunity  of  numbers  to  emerge 
from  the  haunts  in  which  they  were  accustomed 
to  secrete  themselves.  It  is  a  bright  and  pleasant 
morning,  and  the  air  is  filled  with  jest  and  laugh- 
ter. 

Apparently  there  is  enmity  between  Herod  and 
the  priests  who  walk  after  him.  When  the  pro- 
cession stops  before  the  pavement,  with  a 
mockery  of  courtesy,  Herod,  Caiaphas  and 
Annas  exchange  salutations  and  part.  Herod,  at- 
tended by  his  chosen  courtiers  and  a  few  of  the 
soldiers,  ascends  to  the  pavement  and  steps  to- 
ward the  door  of  the  Praetorium.  His  soldiers,  at 
a  sign  from  their  commander,  compel  THE  MAN 
to  mount  the  pavement.  They  close  around  Him 
so  that  the  multitude  does  not  get  a  clear  view 
of  Him,  and  in  the  attention  attracted  by  the 
High  Priest  and  other  members  of  the  Sandhed- 
rin  who  are  busily  going  from  man  to  man,  forc- 
ing their  slow  way  through  the  people,  Jesus  is 
comparatively  unnoticed. 

A  Roman  soldier  at  the  door  of  the  Praetorium 
bars  the  way. 

SOLDIER 
(respectfully,  but  firmly) 

What  would  ye? 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  99 

HEROD  ANTIPAS 

(smiling) 

Carry  word  to  the  Procurator,  the  most  noble 
Pontius  Pilate,  that  Herod  Antipas,  Tetrarch  of 
Galilee,  would  have  speech  with  him. 

SOLDIER 

(turning  toward  the  door  and  crying  loudly) 
Officer  of  the  guard ! 

VOICE 

(from  within) 
What  seek  ye? 

The  officer  appears  in  the  doorway  a  moment 
after. 

SOLDIER 
(saluting) 

The  Tetrarch  of  Galilee  desires  audience  with 
the  Procurator. 

OFFICER  OF  THE  GUARD 
(bowing  toward  Herod) 
A  moment,  your  excellency. 
He  turns  and  disappears,    Herod  chats  casually 
with  his  attendants,  from  time  to  time  turning 
back  to  look  curiously  at  the  bound  captive.  Pres- 
ently, the  officer  reappears. 


100  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

OFFICER 

The  noble  Pilate  declares  that  you  honor  him 
in  your  visit  and  begs  you  to  enter  forthwith. 

HEROD 

(speaking  to  his  nearest  companion) 
There  hath  been  enmity  of  old  betwixt  our- 
selves and  the  Roman.    Yet  'tis  a  courteous  mes- 
sage, perhaps 

(He  disappears  through  the  doorway.) 

The  square  has  now  become  packed  with  peo- 
ple. The  officer  who  admitted  Herod  summons  a 
messenger  from  within.  He  gives  an  order,  and 
presently  a  body  of  Roman  soldiery  defiles  out 
upon  the  pavement.  In  the  guard  room  to  one 
side  of  the  Praetorium  can  be  seen  othej  soldiers 
hastily  arming  themselves.  The  open  street  on 
the  other  side  of  the  Praetorium  is  soon  filled  with 
armed  men.  Above  them  the  sunlight  shines 
upon  the  Roman  eagles.  Pilate  has  called  to  arms 
the  cohort  which  he  has  brought  with  him  as  his 
personal  guard  on  this  visit  to  the  city  during  the 
Passover  Feast.  They  are  ready  for  any  emer- 
gency. The  magnificent  legionaries  on  the  porch 
look  scornfully  at  the  soldiers  of  the  Tetrarch, 
who  sustain  their  gaze  uneasily. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  101 

Presently  there  is  a  sharp  command.  The  Ro- 
mans on  the  portico  come  to  attention.  Their  ex- 
ample is  followed  by  the  Jews  guarding  THE 
MAN. 

In  the  doorway  Pontius  Pilate  appears  and  by 
his  side  walks  Herod.  The  two  are  arm  in  arm. 
They  are  chatting  together  pleasantly  with  every 
appearance  of  amity.  Pilate  stops  by  his  soldiery. 
Herod  turns,  bows  to  him,  and  with  a  word  of 
farewell,  passes  on  to  his  own  guards.  One  of 
his  men  gives  an  order.  The  Jewish  soldiers  re- 
lease Jesus  and  form  in  ranks.  The  trumpets 
blare.  At  a  signal  the  soldiers  descend  and  open 
a  way  through  the  crowd.  Herod  and  his  friends 
follow.  Pilate  waves  them  farewell  as  they  dis- 
appear through  the  multitude  and  down  the 
street. 

At  a  nod  from  the  Governor,  a  centurion  and 
four  of  his  own  soldiers  advance  and  stand  by 
the  bound  and  white-robed  figure  of  Jesus.  The 
passing  of  Herod's  soldiers  discloses  THE  MAN 
standing  alone  with  bowed  head. 

A  VOICE 

(shrill,  from  the  crowd) 
The  Nazarene! 


102  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

THE  MULTITUDE 

The  King  of  the  Jews! 

Pilate  steps  haughtily  forward  to  the  edge  of 
the  pavement.  A  number  of  slaves  bring  out 
from  the  Praetorium  a  great  gilded  chair  or 
throne,  which  they  set  down  in  the  center  of  the 
pavement  facing  the  people. 

PILATE 

(looking  about  and  then  turning  to  Jesus) 
Where  are  thine  accusers? 
He  does  not  wait  for  an  answer,  but  speaks  to 
the  centurion,  whose  name  is  Longinus.    The  lat- 
ter steps  to  the  very  edge  of  the  platform  and 
raises  his  hand  for  silence. 

LONGINUS 
(in  a  loud  voice) 

Let  Caiaphas,  Annas  and  those  who  accuse  this 
Man  present  themselves  before  the  most  noble 
Procurator. 

VOICES 

(from  the  crowd) 
The  accusers! 
The  High  Priest! 
Caiaphas ! 
The  Sanhedrin! 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  103 

Show  thyselves,  Masters ! 

Forcing  their  way  through  the  crowd,  flushed, 
panting,  indignant  at  the  loss  of  dignity  they  are 
sustaining,  Caiaphas,  assisting  the  aged  Annas 
and  followed  by  other  members  of  the  Sanhedrin, 
struggles  to  the  platform.  They  group  themselves 
near  the  edge  a  little  distance  from  Pilate,  Annas 
and  Caiaphas  in  the  forefront. 

Pilate  sits  down  upon  the  judgment  seat  which 
is  raised  above  the  pavement.  He  has  Caiaphas 
and  the  rest  on  his  right,  Jesus  on  his  left.  Back 
of  him  the  portico  is  now  filled  with  rank  upon 
rank  of  legionaries  who  stand  at  attention  in 
quiet,  composed,  yet  stern  menace;  exemplify- 
ing the  power,  as  Pilate  the  authority,  of  Rome. 
The  dark  building  forms  a  fitting  background  for 
the  brilliant  picture,  not  without  its  element  of 
magnificence.  The  polished  armor  of  the  soldiery, 
the  bright  gold  of  the  eagles,  the  imposing  ma- 
jesty of  the  throne  upon  which  Pilate  sits  clothed 
in  a  toga  of  spotless  white  bordered  with  purple 
and  clasped  with  gems,  Caiaphas  in  all  the  golden 
glory  of  priestly  robes,  the  rich  dresses  of  Annas 
and  the  other  Sanhedrists,  are  all  in  deep  con- 
trast to  the  bound  figure  of  Jesus;  although  He, 
too,  in  mockery,  is  clothed  in  a  robe  of  royal 


104  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

white  fastened  with  a  glittering  buckle,  or  brooch, 
at  the  neck. 

His  face  is  terrible  to  look  upon.  For  the  sec- 
ond time  since  His  betrayal  He  has  endured  the 
mockery,  the  insults  and  the  physical  brutality  of 
His  captors;  on  this  occasion  from  the  hands  of 
the  soldiers  of  Herod.  Pilate  looks  from  Jesus  to 
Caiaphas  and  says  nothing.  He  is  evidently  pon- 
dering the  situation  deeply  and  at  last  it  is  the 
Jew,  not  the  Roman,  who  breaks  the  intolerable 
silence. 

CAIAPHAS 

(chafing  under  the  submission  of  his  waiting  po- 
sition) 

You  sent  for  us,  Oh,  Roman? 

Pilate  draws  a  deep  breath  and  turns  his  head 
toward  them.  A  sudden  wave  of  silence  spreads 
over  the  crowd.  It  is  very  still  in  the  square. 
Pilate  raises  his  voice,  which  is  deep  and  strong, 
if  somewhat  harsh — the  voice  of  a  soldier  ac- 
customed to  command — so  that  it  may  be  heard 
to  the  confines  of  the  Forum. 

PILATE    1 

(speaking  slowly  and  emphatically) 
Ye  brought  this  Man  unto  me  (he  points  to 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  105 

Jesus)  as  one  that  perverteth  the  people  (he  com- 
prehends in  his  glance  the  multitude  in  the 
square)  and  behold  I,  having  examined  Him  be- 
fore you,  found  no  fault  in  this  Man  touching 
those  things  whereof  ye  accuse  Him. 

CAIAPHAS 
(interrupting) 

So  thou  didst  declare  yet  earlier  in  the  morn- 
ing. 

PILATE 
(continuing) 

I  find  no  crime  in  Him.    No,  nor  yet  Herod, 

for  he  sent  Him  back  unto  us  and  declareth  that 

nothing  worthy  of  death  hath  been  done  by  Him. 

(Caiaphas  and  Annas  start  forward  angrily. 

A  murmur  breaks  from  the  crowd.) 

PILATE 

(rising  and  speaking  firmly) 
I  will  therefore  chastise  Him  and  release  Him. 

CAIAPHAS 

(facing  the  crowd  and  including  with  a  sweep 
of  his  left  arm  Pilate  and  THE  MAN) 
Away  with  Him!    Away  with  Him! 


106  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

ANNAS 
(shrilly) 
Let  Him  be  crucified! 

THE  MULTITUDE 

(repeating) 
Crucify  Him!     Crucify  Him! 

PILATE 
(frowning) 
Why,  what  evil  hath  He  done? 

THE  PEOPLE 

(again) 
Crucify  Him!     Crucify  Him! 

PILATE 

(disdaining  the  multitude  and  remonstrating  to 
the  priests) 

I  have  found  no  cause  of  death  in  Him.    I  will 
therefore  chastise  Him  and  let  Him  go. 

CAIAPHAS 

(disregarding  Pilate's  suggestion  and  appealing 
directly  to  the  people) 
The  custom  of  the  Passover.    Demand  it. 

PRIESTS 
A  release!    A  release! 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  107 

VOICES 
Freedom  for  a  prisoner! 

THE  MULTITUDE 
The  custom  of  the  Passover!    A  freedom! 

PILATE 
(hopefully) 

Ye  have  a  custom  that  I  should  release  unto 
you  one  at  the  Passover. 

VOICES 
True,  Oh,  Governor. 

THE  MULTITUDE 
A  release!    A  release! 

PILATE 

(pointing  to  Jesus) 

Will  ye,  therefore,  that  I  release  unto  you  the 
King  of  the  Jews? 

THE  PEOPLE 
Crucify  Him !    Crucify  Him ! 

A  LOUD  VOICE 
Barabbas ! 

PILATE 

(struck  with  the  sound  of  that  name,  gives  an 
order  to  a  soldier  and  then  asks  again) 


108  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

Whom  will  ye  that  I  release  unto  you,  Bar- 
abbas  or  Jesus,  which  is  called  the  Christ  ? 

ANNAS 
(shrilly) 

Barabbas ! 

VOICES 
Not  this  man. 

THE  MULTITUDE 

Barabbas !    Barabbas ! 

Pilate  stands  uncertainly  looking  over  the  seeth- 
ing mob.  Annas,  his  old  face  convulsed  with  rage, 
raises  his  hand  and  leads  the  wild  cry  for  Barab- 
bas. Caiaphas  looks  at  the  Governor  with  a  cold, 
sneering  smile  upon  his  lips.  In  the  midst  of  the 
confusion  an  attendant  forces  his  way  through 
the  guards  at  the  back,  steps  up  to  Pilate,  bows 
before  him  and  presents  a  tablet. 

THE  ATTENDANT 

(speaking  loudly  to  be  heard  in  the  noise  and 
confusion) 

From  the  most  noble  lady,  thy  wife,  lord. 

PILATE 

(exclaiming  in  surprise) 
Claudia ! 
He  takes  the  tablet  and  glances  at  it. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  109 

PILATE 

(reading  aloud) 

"Have  thou  nothing  to  do  with  that  just  Man, 
for  I  have  suffered  many  things  this  day  in  a 
dream  because  of  Him." 
He  hands  the  tablet  to  the  attendant. 

PILATE 
(speaking) 

Tis  well.  Say  to  thy  mistress  thou  hast  dis- 
charged thine  errand.  I  will  do  what  I  may. 

Meanwhile  from  the  prison  behind  the  Praetori- 
um  a  quaternion  of  the  soldiers  brings  forth  a 
bound  man.  He  is  a  wild,  fierce  zealot.  Evil  is 
writ  largely  over  his  countenance.  He  is  a  thief 
and  a  murderer  and  looks  it.  He  is  dragged  for- 
ward and  shoved  close  beside  THE  MAN.  Jesus 
lifts  His  head,  looks  upon  him  and  then  turns 
and  faces  the  crowd.  Pilate,  once  again  com- 
manding silence,  points  to  the  two  who  stand 
side  by  side. 

PILATE 
(loudly) 

Whether  of  the  twain  will  ye  that  I  release 
unto  you  ? 


110  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

THE  PEOPLE 
(with  one  voice) 

Barabbas ! 

The  robber  throws  back  his  head  and  laughs. 
He  looks  contemptuously  at  THE  MAN  by  his 
side.  Jesus  holds  Himslf  erect  and  confronts  the 
mob.  There  is  that  in  His  glance  which  causes 
those  nearest  to  quail,  but  their  emotions  count 
for  little.  Even  the  Sanhedrin  joins  in  the  great 
cry  for  Barabbas  which  rises  and  throbs  and  beats 
about  the  square  and  hurls  the  name  of  the  crim- 
inal back  and  forth  until  it  ascends  in  a  mighty 
wave  of  sound  far  into  the  bright  sky  of  the 
morning.  TH£  MuLTITUDE 

Barabbas !  Barabbas !  Give  us  Barabbas ! 

PILATE 

(again  endeavoring  to  effect  his  purpose,  which 
is  the  release  of  THE  MAN) 

What  shall  I  do  then  with  Jesus,  which  is 
called  Christ? 

VOICES 
Let  Him  be  crucified! 

PILATE 

(vainly  trying  to  still  the  storm) 
Why,  what  evil  hath  He  done? 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  Ill 

THE  PEOPLE 
Crucify  Him! 

Pilate  endeavors  to  speak  again,  but  finds  it  im- 
possible to  make  himself  heard.  He  looks  from 
the  mob  to  the  mocking  face  of  Caiaphas,  the 
eager  and  passion  inflamed  countenances  of  An- 
nas and  the  other  members  of  the  Sanhedrin. 
Suddenly  he  turns  upon  his  heel,  beckons  to  the 
soldiers  guarding  Jesus  and  enters  the  Praetor- 
ium.  THE  MAN  and  His  guards  follow  him. 
The  mob  changes  it  cry  from 

Crucify  Him! 

to 
Barabbas ! 

The  commander  of  the  cohort  to  whom  Pilate 
has  spoken  a  word  nods  to  the  centurion.  The 
latter  gives  an  order  to  the  soldiers.  They  unbind 
the  murderer.  The  centurion  points  to  the  crowd 
as  a  sign  that  he  may  go  free.  Barabbas  straight- 
ens himself  up,  stretches  out  his  arms,  bows  iron- 
ically to  the  mob,  which  is  now  shouting  his 
name,  passes  the  High  Priest,  hesitates  as  if  he 
would  fain  speak  to  him,  bends  low  in  submis- 
sion as  Caiaphas  turns  from  him  in  scorn,  de- 
scends to  the  pavement  and  is  lost  in.  the  crowd 


112  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

which  closes  around  him  with  shouts  and  cheers 
of  approbation. 

In  the  midst  of  the  tumult  Pilate  again  comes 
upon  the  portico,  followed  by  Jesus. 

PILATE 

(standing  at  the  very  edge  of  the  portico  and 
crying  in  a  loud  voice) 

Behold  I  bring  Him  forth  to  you  that  ye  may 
know  that  I  find  no  crime  in  Him. 

THE  PEOPLE 
Away  with  Him! 

PILATE 
(anxiously) 

Will  ye  that  I  release  unto  you  the  King  of 
the  Jews? 

A  VOICE 
We  have  Barabbas.    Tis  enough. 

THE  PEOPLE 
Away  with  Him! 

PILATE 

(against  hope) 

What  will  ye  then  that  I  shall  do  unto  Him  whom 
ye  call  the  King  of  the  Jews  ? 

THE  PEOPLE 
Crucify  Him!    Crucify  Him! 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  113 

PILATE 
(persistent) 

Why,  what  evil 

THE  PEOPLE 

Crucify  Him !    Crucify  Him ! 

Pilate  confronts  them  silenced,  amazed  and  dis- 
mayed at  the  passion  they  have  displayed.  Like 
every  governor,  he  fears  a  riot,  and  wonders  if 
it  be  worth  while  to  run  the  risk  of  it  for 
this  Nazarene.  He  looks  again  and  again 
from  Jesus,  to  the  Chief  Priests,  to  the  peo- 
ple. His  glance  wanders  back  to  the  balcony  of 
the  Praetorium  where  he  sees  the  pale  face  of 
Claudia  Procula,  his  wife,  regarding  him.  With 
clasped  hands  she  stands  looking  down  upon  him. 
The  indecision  of  the  Governor  is  plainly  ap- 
parent. Incited  by  Caiaphas  and  the  attendant 
priests  the  people  redouble  their  demands.  It 
seems  as  if  hell  itself  has  broken  loose.  The 
square  fairly  heaves  with  convulsed  passion.  For 
some  moments  Pilate  stands  in  deep  thought, 
pondering  if  it  be  worth  while  to  run  the  risk  of 
an  uprising  for  this  Galilean.  Jesus  looks  at 
him,  pity  for  the  weakness  of  the  man  in 
His  face.  Finally,  Pilate  comes  to  a  con- 
clusion. He  says  a  word  to  the  nearest  soldier. 


114  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

The  man  salutes,  enters  the  Praetorium  and  pres- 
ently comes  out  from  the  portico  accompanied  by 
a  slave  bearing  a  bronze  laver  or  wash  basin. 
In  obedience  to  a  gesture  from  the  soldier,  the 
servant  comes  forward,  kneels  down  before  the 
Governor  and  presents  the  basin.  Pilate  looks 
again  from  Jesus  to  Caiaphas,  to  the  people. 
Again  he  hesitates  and  is  lost.  He  is  afraid  to 
provoke  the  people  further,  so  he  raises  his  hand 
and  holds  it  erect  until  the  tumult  dies.  The  atti- 
tude of  the  Governor,  the  advent  of  the  slave  with 
the  basin  of  water,  suggest  things  to  the  Jews. 
Caiaphas  and  Annas  exchange  glances  and  nod 
significantly.  They  see  that  they  are  about  to  tri- 
umph. When  quiet  has  been  in  a  measure  re- 
stored, Pilate  dips  his  hands  in  the  water  and  lifts 
them  up  dripping.  He  goes  through  the  motions 
of  washing  them.  He  rubs  them  together  as  if 
cleansing  them. 

CAIAPHAS 
(whispering) 
He  washeth  his  hands. 

ANNAS 

(quoting  softly) 
"And  all  the  elders  of  that  city  that  are  next 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  115 

unto  the  slain  man  shall  wash  their  hands  and 
say  .  .  .  Our  hands  have  not  shed  this 
blood,  neither  have  our  eyes  seen  it." 

A  SCRIBE 
Rabbi,  it  is  so  writ  in  the  law  of  Moses. 

PILATE 

(with  deep  gravity) 

I  am  innocent  of  the  blood  of  this  just  Per- 
son. (He  extends  his  arms  and  the  slave  pours 
the  contents  of  the  basin  over  them.  He  raises 
his  voice  and  extends  his  dripping  hand  over 
the  multitude) 

PILATE 
See  ye  to  it. 

There  is  a  moment  of  painful  silence  in  that 
great  Forum.  Annas  breaks  it  with  his  old  shrill 
voice. 

ANNAS 

(crying  loudly) 
His  blood  be  on  us  and  upon  our  children. 

THE  PEOPLE 

(led  by  the  priests,  all  repeating  with  one  voice) 
His  blood  be  upon  us  and  upon  our  children. 


116  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

CAIAPHAS 

(approaching  Pilate) 
We  thank  thee,  Roman. 

PILATE 

(contemptuously,  turning  his  back  upon  him  and 
addressing  the  centurion) 

They  shall  have  their  wish.    Go,  soldier,  make 
ready  the  cross.    Let  Him  be  crucified. 

LONGINUS 
(saluting) 
When,   Oh,    Governor  ? 

PILATE 

To-day,  on  the  instant,  but  let  Him  first  be 
scourged. 


V 

BEHOLD  THE  MAN! 

Not  deigning  to  notice  Caiaphas,  after  one 
glance  at  THE  MAN,  Pilate  disappears  into  the 
Praetorium. 

Rising  from  the  level  of  the  square  in  front 
of  the  pavement  is  a  low  stone  pillar  with  iron 
rings  at  the  top.  At  the  command  of  the  cen- 
turion, the  soldiers  guarding  Jesus  take  off  the 
white  robe  in  which  He  had  been  arrayed  by 
Herod  in  mockery  and  remove  His  other  gar- 
ments, so  that  he  stands  naked  to  the  waist.  A 
detachment  from  the  cohort  clears  a  space  about 
the  pillar,  driving  the  people  back.  Two  men, 
each  carrying  a  scourge  or  flagellum  appear. 
Jesus  is  dragged  down  to  the  pavement;  His 
hands  are  untied,  His  arms  are  lifted  up  and 
lashed  to  the  rings  of  the  pillar.  The  two  men 
armed  with  the  whips  step  forward.  Each  im- 
plement of  torture  is  composed  of  a  number  of 
leather  thongs  attached  to  a  short  handle.  At 
intervals  in  each  thong  there  are  pieces  of  lead, 
sharp  bits  of  flint,  jagged  bones,  or  rusty  nails. 

There  is  deep  silence  in  the  forum.  Those  far- 
ther back  climb  upon  pillars  and  porches.  Little 


118  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

ones  are  lifted  to  the  shoulders  of  men  and  wo- 
men that  they  may  see.  The  priests  look 
down  upon  their  victim  and  their  people  from 
the  pavement.  At  a  sign  from  the  centurion,  one 
of  the  torturers  lifts  his  scourge  and  strikes 
hard  and  deep.  A  scream  rises  from  the  out- 
skirts of  the  crowd  as  the  cruel  thongs  tear  the 
naked  flesh.  THE  MAN  shudders  but  makes  no 
sound. 

Nearest  in  the  rank  of  spectators  stands  Bar- 
abbas.  As  he  hears  the  dreadful  crash  of  the  whip 
he  laughs  and  points  his  finger. 

BARABBAS 
(yelling) 
The  King  of  the  Jews!    Ho!    Ho! 

THE  MULTITUDE 

(laughing) 

The  King !  The  King  of  the  Jews ! 
And  so  amid  shouting,  jeering,  mocking,  the 
dreadful  beating  is  continued  until  the  end.  And 
the  Sufferer  endures  it  all  in  silence.  When  it  is 
over  THE  MAN'S  hands  are  unbound.  His  gar- 
ments are  thrown  over  His  raw  and  bleeding 
back.  He  is  half  carried,  half  dragged  up  to  the 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  119 

portico  and  turned  over  to  the  soldiers  of  the 
cohort  in  the  guard  room  of  the  Praetorium. 
Through  the  windows  the  blood-thirsty  crowd, 
waiting  outside,  catches  glimpses  of  what  is 
going  on.  Some,  in  buildings  that  over- 
look the  windows,  tell  the  story  to  those  farther 
away.  Jesus  is  stripped  of  His  clothing.  A  tat- 
tered old  scarlet  cloak  belonging  to  a  soldier  is 
draped  about  His  person.  Some  one  plaits  a 
crown  of  thorns  and  crushes  it  down  upon  His 
head.  They  throne  Him  upon  a  pile  of  benches. 
A  reed  is  thrust  into  His  hand.  With  uproarious 
mockery,  the  legionaries  kneel  before  Him  and 
salute  Him  as  "King  of  the  Jews."  Their 
"Hails"  and  their  derisive  cries  are  plainly  heard 
outside  to  the  great  annoyance  and  discomfort  of 
Caiaphas  and  the  rest.  Presently  their  mockery 
takes  on  a  ruder,  fiercer  guise.  They  spit  upon 
Him,  beat  Him,  strike  Him  with  their  hands, 
thrust  at  Him  with  the  butts  of  their  spears  and 
with  mailed  hands  force  the  thorny  crown  more 
firmly  upon  His  forehead. 

In  the  crowd  without,  John  had  stood  on  the 
outskirts  until  the  scourging.  With  him  were 
Mary,  the  Mother  of  Jesus,  and  the  other  wo- 
men, but  as  the  horrible  flagellum  had  fallen, 


120  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

he  had  led  the  mother  away.  Now  he  has  come 
back.  He  forces  his  way  through  the  multitude 
until  he  reaches  a  position  whence  he  can  see 
what  is  going  on  in  the  Praetorium.  Helpless,  he 
prays  and  looks  with  tear-blinded  eyes  and  a 
breaking  heart. 

JOHN 
(murmuring) 

"I  gave  my  back  to  the  smiters,  and  my  cheeks 
to  them  that  plucked  off  the  hair:  I  hid  not  my 
face  from  shame  and  spitting." 

The  revelry  is  interrupted  by  the  entrance  of 
Pilate.  He  is  followed  by  a  servant  carrying  a 
board  which  bears  an  inscription. 

PILATE 
(peremptorily} 

It  is  enough. 

He  steps  close  to  the  prisoner  and  looks  upon 
Him  a  long  time.  Wiping  the  blood  from  His 
eyes,  Jesus  returns  his  glance.  The  King,  blood- 
crowned,  sits  upon  His  throne  and  the  em- 
purpled Roman  stands  wondering  before  Him. 
There  is  silence.  Pilate  at  last  beckons  and  turns 
away.  Four  soldiers  and  the  centurion  close 
about  Jesus.  They  drag  Him  from  the  pile  of 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  121 

benches  and  support  Him  as  He  stands  trembling 
and  swaying  upon  the  floor.  Pilate  leaves  the 
Praetorium  and  goes  out  upon  the  porch.  Jesus 
and  the  soldiers  follow.  Pilate  stops  outside  the 
door.  Caiaphas  and  the  others  who  have  retired 
into  the  shade  of  the  portico  make  a  motion  to 
step  forward,  but  Pilate  checks  them.  Alone, 
followed  closely  by  THE  MAN  he  walks  to  the 
very  edge  of  the  raised  pavement.  The  sight  of 
Jesus  is  so  terrible  that  awe  and  curiosity  again 
bring  silence.  Pilate  and  THE  MAN  stop  and 
look  at  the  people.  After  a  long  pause  the 
Governor  lifts  his  finger  and  points  toward  Jesus, 
thorn-crowned,  scarlet-robed,  blood-stained. 

PILATE 
(with  a  touch  of  awe  in  his  voice} 

Behold  the  Man! 

Annas  and  Caiaphas  wave  their  hands  at  the 
people  from  the  background. 

THE  MULTITUDE 

Crucify  Him!     Crucify  Him! 

PILATE 
(desperately  disappointed} 

Take  ye  Him  and  crucify  Him,  for  I  find  no 
crime  in  Him. 


122  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

ANNAS 
(swiftly) 
We  have  a  law  and  by  our  law  He  ought  to  die. 

THE  PEOPLE 
Crucify  Him!    Crucify  Him! 

CAIAPHAS 

(taking  the  word  front  Annas'  mouth) 
Because  He  made  Himself  the  Son  of  God. 

THE  PEOPLE 

Crucify  Him!     Crucify  Him! 

Pilate  turns  away  and  enters  the  Praetoriutn, 
once  more  followed  by  Jesus  and  his  soldiers. 
He  sits  down  in  his  private  room.  Jesus  stands 
before  him.  Pilate,  with  bent  head  and  furrow- 
ed brow,  remains  a  few  moments  in  deep 
thought.  pJLATE 

(speaking  to  himself  curiously) 
The  Son  of  God!  (muttering)  What  meaneth 

that?     (He  lifts  his  head  and  looks  keenly  at 

THE  MAN.)    Whence  art  Thou? 
Jesus  returns  his  glance  in  silence. 

PILATE 

(peremptorily) 
Speakest  Thou  not  unto  me?    Knowest  Thou 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  123 

not  that  I  have  power  to  crucify  Thee,  and  have 
power  to  release  Thee? 

JESUS 
(quietly) 

Thou  couldst  have  no  power  at  all  against 
Me,  except  it  were  given  thee  from  above. 
Therefore,  he  that  delivered  Me  unto  thee  hath 
the  greater  sin. 

PILATE 
(wondering) 

Dost  Thou  mean  Caiaphas? 
Jesus  answers  nothing.   He  looks  away. 
Pilate  sits  a  long  time  in  thought.    He  rises 
at  last  and  once  more  goes  upon  the  portico  with 
Jesus.    His  mood  is  changed.    Incertitude  has 
given  way  to  decision  and  with  it  has  come  back 
all  his  contempt  for  the  Jew. 

PILATE 

(sitting  down  upon  the  judgment  seat  and  point- 
ing to  Jesus) 

Behold  your  King! 

THE  PEOPLE 
(derisively) 
Hail,  King  of  the  Jews! 


124  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

CAIAPHAS 
(fiercely) 

If  them  let  this  Man  go,  thou  art  not  Caesar's 
friend. 

THE  PEOPLE 
Hail,  King  of  the  Jews! 

ANNAS 

(shrewdly  following  Caiaphas'  suggestion) 
Whosoever  maketh  himself  a  king,  speaketh 
against  Caesar. 

VOICES 
Away  with  Him! 

THE  PEOPLE 
Crucify  Him! 

PILATE 

(in  withering  scorn) 
Shall  I  crucify  your  King? 

CAIAPHAS,  ANNAS,  AND  THE  CHIEF  PRIESTS 
We  have  no  king  but  Caesar. 

THE  PEOPLE 
Crucify  Him!    Crucify  Him! 

PILATE 

So  be  it.    Let  Him  be  crucified. 
A  detachment  of  soldiers  files  out  of  the  Prae- 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  125 

torium.  They  bring  -with  them  two  wretched 
prisoners  and  wood  for  three  crosses.  The  two 
beams  which  make  up  each  cross  are  not  yet 
nailed  but  are  loosely  tied  together.  The  cen- 
turion looks  at  Pilate.  He  nods  his  head.  The 
soldiers  take  off  the  red  cloak  which  Jesus  wears. 
They  bind  His  hands  in  front  of  Him.  His  own 
garments  are  thrown  hastily  upon  Him.  The 
two  largest  beams  are  placed  upon  the  shoulders 
of  THE  MAN.  The  other  two  criminals 
who  are  to  die  with  Him  are  each  similarly  bur- 
dened. The  centurion,  the  brief  preparations  being 
completed,  looks  again  at  Pilate.  The  Governor 
stays  him  by  a  motion.  Immediately,  there  comes 
forward  a  slave  bearing  the  white  board  upon 
which  Pilate  had  written  something  in  black 
letters.  There  is  a  sneer  on  Pilate's  face  as  he 
directs  the  slave  carrying  his  board  which  has 
been  fastened  temporarily  to  a  short  pole,  to  lift 
it  up  in  front  of  the  multitude.  On  it  in  Latin, 
in  Greek  and  in  the  Aramaic  vernacular,  are 
written  these  words,  or  that  which  stands  for 
them,  "The  King  of  the  Jews."  It  is  as  if  the 
stamp  of  Roman  authority  and  finality  had  been 
put  upon  the  claim  which  had  been  the  basis  of 
the  condemnation  of  Jesus.  The  multitude  laugh 


126  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

and  cheer,  but  the  High  Priest  and  his  atten- 
dants, keener  to  detect  the  insult,  crowd  around 
Pilate  with  remonstrance. 

CAIAPHAS. 
(imperiously) 

Write  not,  The  King  of  the  Jews;  but  that 
He  said,  I  am  King  of  the  Jews. 

Pilate  turns  to  the  High  Priest  with  loathing 
as  if  to  revenge  himself  for  all  the  weaknesses  of 
which  he  himself  has  been  guilty  and  to  heap  the 
odium  that  is  in  his  own  soul  at  his  own  conduct 
upon  the  instigator  of  it. 

PILATE 

What  I  have  written,  I  have  written. 

He  goes  for  the  last  time  into  the  Praetorium. 
There  is  a  word  of  command  from  the  centurion. 
The  soldiers  come  to  attention.  They  step  for- 
ward followed  by  the  condemned  and  proceed 
down  the  street.  After  them  come  the  High 
Priest  and  his  fellow  ecclesiastics  and  after  them, 
around  them,  and  before  them,  the  mob. 


PART  IV 
THE   VIA   DOLOROSA 


I 

THE  CROSSBEARER  TO  THE  KING. 

SCENE:  A  street  in  Jerusalem.  Time:  Ap- 
proaching nine  in  the  morning. 

A  short  distance  to  the  right  is  the  city 
wall,  through  which  a  gate  opens  north- 
ward. Although  it  is  a  holy  day  and  the 
shops  are  closed  and  there  is  no  occasion 
for  the  ordinary  traffic,  and  it  is  yet  early  in  the 
day,  the  street  is  filled  with  people  surging  along 
like  a  great  tidal  current.  Through  the  gate 
thousands  can  be  seen  spreading  over  the  sur- 
rounding country.  Jews  of  every  land  and  clime 
are  there.  "Parthians  and  Medes,  and  Elamites, 
and  the  dwellers  in  Mesopotamia,  and  in  Judea, 
and  Cappadocia,  in  Pontus}  and  Asia,  Phrygia, 
and  Pamphylia,  in  Egypt,  and  in  the  parts  of 
Libya  about  Cyrene,  and  strangers  of  Rome,  Jews 
and  proselytes,  Cretes  and  Arabians."  The  differ- 
ences in  their  clothing  bespeak  their  variety,  their 
characteristic  uniformity  of  face  proclaims  their 
race.  Most  of  the  crowd  are  on  foot,  but  some 


130  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

are  on  horseback,  on  camels,  in  litters,  or  in 
chariots.  While  Jewish  form  and  feature  pre- 
dominate in  the  crowd,  there  are  also  others  there, 
Greeks  and  Romans,  brown  Arabians,  black  Afri- 
cans and  even  blonde  Goths  from  the  Hyperbor- 
ean regions  beyond  the  Rhine.  The  world  is 
there. 

These  are  going  out  to  see  an  execution.  That 
THE  MAN  whom  many  of  them  had  seen  and 
heard  during  the  Passover  week  has  been  con- 
demned to  death,  has  been  reported  throughout 
the  city.  With  incredible  swiftness  the  news  has 
travelled  and  citizens  and  strangers  are  assem- 
bling to  witness  the  crucifixion.  The  high  and 
the  low,  the  rich  and  the  poor,  the  weak  and  the 
strong,  the  noble  and  the  base,  are  gathered  to- 
gether to  see  Jesus  of  Galilee  die  upon  the  cross. 

There  is  not  much  noise  among  the  passers-by. 
These  are  not  those  who  gathered  in  the  forum. 
Their  appetites  for  blood  have  not  been  whetted 
by  what  they  have  seen.  There  is  a  sort  of  ap- 
prehensive feeling  in  the  air  which  is  expressed 
in  voice  and  gesture.  Ceaselessly  the  crowd 
sweeps  by,  pours  through  the  narrow  gate  and 
spreads  widely  in  the  open,  wondering  upon  what 
spot  the  crosses  will  be  erected. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  131 

Soon  the  comparative  silence  gives  place  to  a 
confused  shouting.  Down  the  street  the  sunlight 
gleams  upon  upraised  spear  points  and  gilded 
eagles.  The  focus  of  the  noisy  demonstration  is 
there.  Presently,  led  by  a  centurion  on  horse- 
back, a  body  of  legionary  soldiers,  brilliant  and 
glorious  in  full  war-panoply  of  burnished  brass 
and  scarlet,  marches  down  the  street  with  the 
sturdy  tread  of  veterans,  indifferent  to  the  yell- 
ing, shrieking,  laughing,  mocking  rabble  which 
precedes,  surrounds  and  follows  them.  Immedi- 
ately following  these  are  a  band  of  slaves  carry- 
ing picks,  spades,  hammers,  nails,  provisions  and 
wine.  After  the  slaves  comes  one  who  holds 
aloft  on  a  pole  a  board  bearing  an  inscription,  at 
sight  of  which  the  crowds  jeer  and  cheer  de- 
risively. 

After  him,  surrounded  by  soldiers  who  shoul- 
der aside  with  rude  buffetings  the  mob  which 
would  fain  attack  the  prisoner  they  guard,  comes 
THE  MAN.  He  is  a  sight  terrible  to  look  upon. 
His  blood-stained  gown,  tattered  and  soiled  with 
the  filth  that  has  been  thrown  upon  it,  hangs  from 
His  shoulders  over  a  seamless  under-tunic.  His 
bare  feet  make  bloody  tracks  upon  the  stones  of 
the  way.  A  crown  of  thorns  surmounts  His  head. 


132  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

His  bright  hair  is  tangled  and  clotted  with  blood. 
His  face  is  ghastly  white.  His  hands  are  bound 
before  Him.  He  is  bent  almost  double  by  the 
weight  of  two  huge  beams  of  wood  upon  His 
back,  steadied  there  by  the  soldiers.  He  reels 
and  staggers  as  He  walks.  The  soldiers  on  either 
side  watch  Him  and  prevent  Him  from  falling. 
He  drags  Himself  forward  with  incredible  slow- 
ness, constantly  urged  to  hurry  by  the  soldiers. 
Back  of  Him,  similarly  guarded  are  two  others 
condemned  to  die,  sturdier  men,  each  carrying  a 
cross.  Their  faces,  too,  are  white,  but  with  fear 
and  terror.  There  is  no  fear  in  the  face  of  THE 
MAN.  His  is  the  pallor  of  complete,  utter  physi- 
cal exhaustion  to  which  is  superadded  the  deso- 
lating sense  of  treachery  and  abandonment.  He 
looks  neither  to  the  right  nor  to  the  left  as  He 
plods  wearily  on.  The  accompanying  malefac- 
tors peer  eagerly  from  one  side  of  the  street  to 
the  other,  as  if  seeking  pity  or  help  from  that 
pitiless  mob.  Back  of  Jesus  and  the  malefactors 
marches  another  band  of  Roman  soldiers.  After 
these  stalks  Caiaphas  surrounded  by  Temple 
Guards  and  attended  by  Annas,  the  chief  priests 
and  members  of  the  Sanhedrin.  Caiaphas  walks 
in  haughty  disdain  of  the  people.  His  disgust — 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  133 

a  feeling  in  which  all  of  his  retinue  share — is 
apparent.  Nevertheless  he  feels  it  necessary  to 
see  that  the  punishment  is  carried  out  to  the  bit- 
ter end.  And  he  knows  not  what  untoward  event 
may  render  his  presence  necessary. 

Just  as  they  reach  the  city  gate,  the  procession 
is  suddenly  halted.  THE  MAN  falls  prone  upon 
the  earth,  His  face  hidden  in  His  bound  hands. 
The  weight  of  the  heavy  cross  beams  has  crushed 
Him  down.  The  centurion,  Longinus,  turns  and 
rides  backward.  He  reins  in  his  horse  and  looks 
hard  at  the  prostrate  figure. 

LONGINUS 
(to  a  soldier) 

How  now!  Touch  Him  with  the  butt  of  thy 
spear,  soldier. 

The  soldier  thrusts  THE  MAN  lightly  in  the 
side. 

THE  SOLDIER 

(harshly) 

Rise,  King  of  the  Jews.  Your  throne  awaits 
you. 

THE  MAN  makes  an  effort  but  He  cannot 
lift  the  burden  that  lies  upon  His  shoulders. 


134  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

THE  SOLDIER 
(to  the  centurion) 
I  think  He  hath  fainted. 

LONGINUS 
(contemptuously) 
They  be  weak  stuff,  these  Jews. 
He  looks  over  the  crowd. 
There  is  one  who  seems  stronger  yonder. 
He  points  to  a  sturdy,  middle-aged  man,  appar- 
ently a  stranger  to  the  city — perhaps  a  visitor  for 
the  Passover  Feast,  who  stands  wondering  and 
surprised,  not  comprehending. 

LONGINUS 
(quickly) 
Sirrah,  thy  name? 

THE  MAN 
(respectfully) 
Simon  of  Cyrene,  your  worship. 

LONGINUS 

(with  grim  pleasantry) 

Well,  Simon  of  Cyrene,  we  appoint  you  cross- 
bearer  to  your  king.     Come  hither. 

The  countryman,  who  is  a  sturdy  man  of  mid- 
dle age,  comes  slowly  forward. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  135 

SIMON 
(bewildered) 
I  do  not  understand. 

LONGINUS 
(laughing) 

But  little  understanding  is  required  to  bear  a 
cross. 

SIMON 

(questioningly) 
But  the  king? 

LONGINUS 

(pointing) 
He  lieth  there. 

(to  the  soldiers) 
Way  for  the  cross-bearer. 

THE  PEOPLE 

Hail,  King  of  the  Jews !  Hail,  the  cross-bear- 
er to  the  King! 

Urged  forward  by  the  soldiers,  Simon  stops 
by  the  side  of  THE  MAN. 

SIMON 
(gravely) 
What  is  it  you  would  have  me  do? 


136  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

A  SOLDIER 
(pointing) 

We  crucify  this  man  without  the  walls.  He 
hath  fallen  under  the  cross.  To  you  the  burden. 

SIMON 

(protesting) 
But    ... 

LONGINUS 
(interrupting) 

We  waste  words.  Take  up  the  cross.  For- 
ward! 

The  soldiers  lift  the  cross  from  THE  MAN 
and  lay  it  upon  the  shoulders  of  Simon.  They 
drag  Jesus  to  His  feet  and  the  procession  moves 
on. 


II 

THE  DAUGHTERS  OF  JERUSALEM. 

Near  the  city  gate  a  little  group  of  women, 
strangers  to  THE  MAN,  but  moved  by  the  terri- 
ble picture  of  suffering  that  He  presents,  raise 
their  voices  in  wild  lamentation.  Tears  stream 
from  their  eyes  and  they  stretch  out  their  hands 
to  Him.  It  is  not  an  acknowledgement  in  any 
sense  of  the  claims  of  Jesus.  It  is  simply  the 
natural  expression  of  pity  in  a  few  human  hearts 
which  are  moved  by  suffering.  It  is  the  one 
touch  of  kindness  that  He  has  received  since  the 
day  before.  He  stops,  lifts  His  head  and  with  a 
sudden  access  of  strength,  turns  and  speaks  to 
them. 

JESUS 

Daughters  of  Jerusalem,  weep  not  for  Me,  but 
weep  for  yourselves  and  for  your  children. 

VOICES 

(in  the  mob,  interrupting) 
Away  with  Him!    Hasten  without  the  walls! 

JESUS 

For  behold  the  days  are  coming  in  which  they 
shall  say,  Blessed  are  the  barren,  and  the  wombs 


138  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

that  never  bear,  and  the  paps  which  never  gave 
suck. 

LONGINUS 

(from  the  head  of  the  procession,  looking  back) 
Why  halt  ye  ?    Advance ! 

JESUS 

(lifting  up  His  bound  hands  and  glancing  abroad 
at  the  hills  which  stand  round  about  Jerusalem) 
Then  shall  they  begin  to  say  to  the  mountains, 
Fall  on  us,  and  to  the  hills,  Cover  us. 

THE  MOB. 
Hail,  King  of  the  Jews! 

VOICES 

To  the  place  of  the  cross! 
LONGINUS 
(impatiently) 

Forward!    Forward!    Silence  the  Man! 
The  soldiers  move  toward  Jesus,  but  for  the 
time  their  hands  seem  to  be  holden. 

JESUS 

(looking  about  Him  sadly  as  if  for  the  last  time 
within  the  Holy  City) 

If  they  do  these  things  in  a  green  tree,  what 
shall  be  done  in  a  dry! 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  139 

He  turns  and  moves  on,  passing  through  the 
gate  to  be  met  by  a  great  cry  from  the  expectant 
multitude  who  have  been  staring  impatiently  at 
the  entrance. 

THE  PEOPLE 
Lo,  He  comes! 

VOICES 
The  King  of  the  Jews !    Hail !    Hail  1 


PART  V 
GOLGOTHA 


1 

THE  CROSSES  ON  THE  HILL 

SCENE:  A  bare,  rocky  hillock,  or  knoll,  whose 
rounded  slopes  in  shape  suggest  the  upper  part  of 
the  human  skull.  Hard  by  rise  the  high  towering 
walls  of  ancient  Jerusalem,  gray,  mossy,  forbid- 
ding. A  main  highway  runs  along  the  base  of 
the  hill.  The  country  is  rough,  stony  and  broken. 
Sepulchers  and  tombs  are  cut  in  the  craggy  hill- 
sides. Sparse  and  stunted  reeds  and  bushes  grow 
in  ravines  and  sheltered  nooks  here  and  there. 
But  the  vegetation  is  scanty  and  the  nearer  aspect 
of  the  country  is  arid  and  sterile.  Farther  away, 
like  an  oasis  in  a  desert,  may  be  seen  the  trees 
and  verdure  of  a  thickly-wooded,  watered  garden 
nestling  against  the  base  of  a  high  cliff.  It  is  a 
bright  spot  of  greenness  in  the  forlorn  and  deso- 
late land. 

The  whole  countryside  is  covered  with  people, 
moving  to  and  fro,  shifting  back  and  forth,  all 
interested  and  excited  looking  toward  the  city 
wall  and  the  hill  shaped  like  a  skull.  The  crowd 


144  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

is  densest  about  this  hill  and  is  with  difficulty 
kept  from  encroaching  upon  its  crest  by  a  line  of 
Roman  soldiers  thrown  around  it,  who  have 
trouble  in  restraining  the  slow,  pushing,  converg- 
ing movement  of  many  people  anxious  to  see 
what  is  going  on.  The  line  of  soldiers  is  about 
half  way  down  the  slope  of  the  knoll  and  the 
little  group  on  the  summit  is  plainly  visible  to 
most  of  the  great  multitude. 

On  the  crest  a  half  dozen  slaves  are  digging 
three  holes;  one  on  the  highest  point  of  the  hill, 
the  others  on  either  side,  a  little  farther  down. 
The  wooden  beams  borne  by  the  condemned  from 
the  Praetorium  to  the  place  of  execution  have  been 
laid  upon  the  ground  and  the  soldiers  have  rap- 
idly spiked  the  two  beams  securely  together  in 
the  shape  of  a  so-called  Latin  Cross.  The  con- 
demned, who  have  been  standing  during  this  pro- 
ceeding, are  now  unbound  and  their  garments 
with  the  exception  of  a  loin  cloth  are  stripped 
from  them  and  laid  in  heaps  on  the  ground.  A 
draught  of  wine  mingled  with  myrrh  is  now 
proffered  to  the  condemned.  It  is  gently  refused 
by  THE  MAN,  although  the  others  partake  of 
it  greedily. 

Inasmuch  as  the  actual  crucifixion  is  now  to 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  145 

take  place,  through  the  crowd  a  murmur  runs, 
which  is  quickly  subdued  and  the  multitude  falls 
into  a  sudden  stillness,  every  eye  strained  to  the 
huddle  of  men  on  the  hill,  every  ear  attuned  to 
listen. 

SOLDIER 

(to   the  centurion") 
Who  first? 

LONGINUS 
(sarcastically) 
None  takes  precedence  of  the  king. 

SOLDIER 

(falling  in  with  his  captain's  contemptuous  hu- 
mor) 

Nazarene,  thy  throne  awaits  thee! 

THE  MAN  turns  His  back  to  the  cross,  gives 
one  glance  to  the  multitude,  another  glance 
toward  the  city.  He  sinks  down  upon  one  knee; 
His  hand  seeks  the  ground  behind  Him.  He 
reclines  with  His  back  upon  the  cross,  stretching 
His  arms  out  to  the  extremities  of  the  transverse 
wooden  beams. 

Four  soldiers,  each  carrying  a  hammer  and 
spikes,  step  forward  at  a  signal  from  the  cen- 
turion and  kneel  down  by  the  cross;  one  oppo- 


146  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

site  each  arm,  one  at  the  foot  and  one  near  the 
middle  of  the  body.  The  one  near  the  middle  of 
the  body  carries  a  triangular  block  of  wood  which 
he  will  nail  to  the  upright  to  make  a  support  for 
the  crucified  whose  weight  would  otherwise  tear 
his  extremities  free.  The  soldiers  at  either  arm 
glance  at  each  other  and  then  simultaneously  they 
place  the  points  of  the  spikes  in  the  palm  of  each 
hand  of  the  victim  and  rain  rapid  blows  upon  the 
heads  with  heavy  hammers.  After  the  first  awful 
thrust  through  the  flesh  there  is  no  audible  sound 
but  the  clinking  of  iron  upon  iron. 

The  centurion,  Longinus,  leans  forward  and 
peers  down  into  the  face  of  THE  MAN  in  as- 
tonishment. A  spasm  of  pain,  of  agony,  flits 
across  it.  The  lips  are  compressed  tightly  to- 
gether and  straighten  under  the  anguish,  but  not 
even  a  moan  is  wrung  from  the  victim  to  break 
the  intense  stillness.  The  soldier  near  the  middle 
now  adjusts  the  block  and  rapidly  nails  it  to  the 
upright.  The  man  at  the  foot,  with  the  assist- 
ance of  one  of  the  others  who  has  completed  his 
task,  crosses  the  two  feet  of  the  condemned,  and 
with  one  spike  through  the  insteps  fastens  them 
to  the  tree. 

THE  MAN  has  been  so  silent  that  Longinus 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  147 

almost  fancies  Him  dead.  As  the  soldiers  com- 
plete their  task  and  lay  aside  their  hammers,  while 
they  are  yet  kneeling  by  the  victim,  He  speaks. 
His  voice  is  low  and  clear,  but  endowed  with 
marvelous  carrying  capacity.  It  is  calm,  almost 
emotionless,  in  its  tone. 

JESUS 

Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know  not  what 
they  do. 

The  Roman  soldiers  are  visibly  astonished  at 
such  an  utterance.  Never  have  they  heard  speech 
like  that  from  a  crucified  on  his  cross.  A  spell 
is  on  the  people.  They  look  from  one  to  another. 
The  sentence  is  repeated  in  whispers  by  those  near 
at  hand  to  those  farther  off.  The  air  is  filled  with 
the  murmur  of  it.  God  harkcns  to  it.  Men  mar- 
vel at  it.  The  world  remembers  it. 

Caiaphas,  Annas  and  the  chief  priests  shift  un- 
easily. They  are  about  to  say  something  when 
the  quiet  is  broken  by  a  sudden  horrid  tumult. 

On  the  hill  the  two  malefactors  who  are  ap- 
pointed to  be  crucified  with  Jesus  are  struggling 
desperately  in  the  hands  of  their  guards.  Amid 
oaths,  imprecations  and  blasphemies,  they  are 
thrown  at  last  and  nailed  to  the  crosses  by  the 


148  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

same  process  as  before.  Their  shrieks  and  yells 
of  anguish  are  terrible  to  hear  and  in  great  con- 
trast to  the  quiet  of  the  First  Sufferer.  The  noise 
and  tumult  break  the  tension.  The  multitude 
sways  to  and  fro.  Voices  are  heard,  and  here  and 
there  a  cruel  laugh.  Annas  and  Caiaphas  greatly 
relieved  are  apparently  satisfied. 

At  a  word  from  the  centurion,  four  soldiers 
lift  each  cross  and  staggering  to  the  appointed 
places  insert  the  bases  in  the  holes  which  have 
been  made  ready.  The  uprights  are  held  steady 
for  a  few  moments  while  the  slaves,  with  mat- 
tocks and  shovels,  fill  in  the  holes  and  make  the 
crosses  secure.  Upon  the  short  projection  above 
the  transverse  arm  of  the  central  cross  hangs 
Pilate's  board.  The  multitude  catches  sight  of 
it  and  a  great  shout  bursts  from  thousands  of 
lips. 

THE  PEOPLE 

The  King  of  the  Jews!  Hail,  King  of  the 
Jews! 

The  soldiers,  their  labors  concluded,  draw  back 
from  the  foot  of  the  crosses  and  wiping  their 
brows,  for  the  day  is  warm,  proceed  to  the  place 
where  the  garments  of  the  condemned  had  been 
laid.  There  are  four  soldiers  to  each  criminal 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  149 

and  the  scanty  clothing  is  soon  apportioned 
among  them,  except  the  seamless  under-tunic 
which  Jesus  had  worn. 

FIRST  SOLDIER 

(holding  it  up) 

What  shall  we  do  with  this? 

SECOND  SOLDIER 

(handling  it) 

Tis  good  cloth  and  worth  something,  though 
it  be  stained  with  blood.  Divide  it  with  thy 
sword;  to  each  a  part. 

THIRD  SOLDIER 

(protesting) 

Nay,  let  us  not  rend  it,  but  cast  lots  for  it 
whose  it  shall  be. 

FOURTH  SOLDIER 

(doffing  his  helmet  and  dropping  some  marked 
pebbles  into  it) 

Well  thought  on.  We'll  try  the  favor  of  the 
gods  with  these. 

While  they  settle  the  question  bending  eagerly 
over  the  garment,  Longinus  directs  a  subordi- 
nate to  form  the  century,  which  had  comprised 
the  escort  to  the  hill,  in  ranks  and  march  it 


150  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

back  to  the  Praetorium.  He  himself  will  remain 
with  four  designated  soldiers  for  each  crucified, 
as  a  guard. 

THE  UNDER  OFFICER    . 

(as  he  transmits  the  orders  to  the  men  holding 
back  the  crowd  at  the  foot  of  the  hill) 

Wouldst  them  not  prefer  that  I  should  stay 
and  that  thou  shouldst  go? 

LONGINUS 
(meditatively} 

Nay,  I  would  fain  see  the  end  of  this  Galilean. 
There  is  something  here  that  I  understand  not. 
Go  thou,  and  tell  the  Governor  we  have  crucified 
the  men  upon  the  hill  according  to  his  order. 

The  officer  salutes,  steps  to  the  head  of  his 
men  and  they  march  away  through  the  people. 

Caiaphas,  Annas  and  the  Sanhedrin  now  come 
forward  and  surround  the  hill,  their  presence 
forming  as  effectual  a  barrier  to  the  nearer  ap- 
proach of  the  multitude  as  if  they  had  been  the 
soldiers.  Caiaphas  raises  his  hand  and  points  to 
the  central  cross,  which  is  a  little  higher  than  the 
other  two.  He  smiles  in  significant  scorn  and 
derision.  The  attention  of  the  people  has  been 
somewhat  distracted  by  the  departure  of  the 
soldiers,  but  it  is  now  fastened  upon  the  hill. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  151 

CAIAPHAS 

(loudly  and  with  unmistakable  sarcasm  and  con- 
tempt in  his  voice) 

He  is  the  King  of  Israel ! 

Annas  wags  his  head  and  laughs.    The  chief 
priests  and  others  take  up  the  cry. 

VOICES 
(repeating) 
He  is  the  King  of  Israel ! 

THE  CHIEF  PRIESTS 
He  saved  others,  Himself  He  cannot  save. 

THE  PEOPLE 
Hail,  King  of  the  Jews ! 

CAIAPHAS 
(continuing) 
Lo,  the  destroyer  of  the  Temple! 

THE  PRIESTS 

Thou  that  destroyest  the  Temple  and  buildest 
it  in  three  days,  save  thyself. 

THE  MULTITUDE 
Hail,  King  of  the  Jews ! 

CAIAPHAS 
(mocking) 
The  Messiah! 


152  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

THE  SANHEDRISTS 

If  Thou  be  the  Son  of  God,  come  down  from 
the  cross. 

THE  MULTITUDE 
Hail,  King  of  the  Jews ! 

A  SOLDIER 

(at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  repeating) 
Hail,  King  of  the  Jews !    Ha,  ha ! 

LONGINUS 

(curiously,  looking  upward  to  the  cross) 
If  Thou  be  the  King  of  the  Jews,  save  Thy- 
self. 

CAIAPHAS 
(sneeringly) 

Ay,  let  Him  now  come  down  from  the  cross 
and  we  will  believe  Him  1 

CERTAIN  SCRIBES 
He  saved  others,  let  Him  save  Himself. 

THE  MULTITUDE 
Hail,  King  of  the  Jews! 

CAIAPHAS 
(again  pointing) 
He  trusted  in  God. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  153 

THE  CHIEF  PRIESTS 

Let  Him  deliver  Him  now  if  He  will  have 
Him! 

THE  MULTITUDE 
Hail,  King  of  the  Jews! 

CAIAPHAS 
(continuing) 
For  He  said,  I  am  the  Son  of  God. 

THE  MULTITUDE 

Hail,  King  of  the  Jews! 

Caiaphas,  Annas  and  the  others  stare  long  and 
hard  at  the  Crucified.  Presently,  they  turn  and 
withdraw  to  another  hill  removed  from  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  the  place  of  execution,  but 
one  whence  they  can  see  and  hear  all  that  takes 
place.  Attendants  provide  resting  places,  upon 
which  those  high  in  dignity  and  those  advanced 
in  years  may  sit. 

The  people  have  now  unrestrained  access  to 
the  hill.  There  is  a  constant  movement  through- 
out the  place.  In  groups,  in  masses,  or  singly, 
they  approach  the  crosses  and  with  gestures  of 
derision,  wagging  their  heads,  they  give  vent  to 
taunts,  insults  and  mockeries.  Curses  and  impre- 


154  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

cations  are  heaped  upon  the  heads  of  the  crucified. 
Such  a  crowd  is  usually  impartial  in  its  distribu- 
tion of  abuse  and  contempt,  but  in  this  instance 
their  attention  is  focussed  upon  the  central  figure, 
and  there  is  even  developed  by  contrast  a  strange 
sort  of  sympathy  for  those  on  either  side. 

Among  those  who  approach  and  take  their 
station  at  the  foot  of  the  central  cross  is  a  young 
man  supporting  a  woman  of  mature  years  in  an 
almost  fainting  condition.  She  is  attended  by 
several  other  white-faced,  horror-stricken  sisters. 
It  is  the  Mother  of  THE  MAN,  and  he  who  so 
tenderly  cares  for  her  is  the  Beloved  Disciple, 
John.  The  soldiers  who  are  now  preparing  their 
mid-day  meal  look  curiously  at  them,  the  crowd 
gases  as  it  passes,  but  no  one  molests  them.  There 
is  an  expression,  almost  of  pity,  on  the  hard  face 
of  Longinus  as  he  watches  them.  And  there  are 
other  wretched  women  there;  wives,  sisters, 
mothers,  friends,  of  the  malefactors  perhaps. 

One  of  the  men  crucified  with  Jesus  has  joined 
from  time  to  time  in  the  reviling  of  Christ  by  the 
Jews.  Toward  the  noon  hour  he  takes  advantage 
of  a  brief  period  of  comparative  silence  to  turn 
his  head  toward  the  central  cross,  as  if  an  idea 
had  suddenly  come  to  him. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  155 

FIRST  THIEF 

(loudly,  in  tones  of  anguish) 
Art  Thou  not  the  Christ?     Save  Thyself  and 
us  then. 

The  Second  Thief,  who  had  at  first  been  as 
vehement  as  the  other,  but  who  has  gradually 
fallen  into  silence,  staring  past  the  Figure  upon 
the  central  cross,  now  speaks  to  his  fellow. 

SECOND  THIEF 

(in  tones  of  solemn,  yet  emphatic  warning) 
Dost  not  thou  fear  God,  seeing  thou  art  in  the 
same  condemnation? 

FIRST  THIEF 

(interrupting  with  a  hideous  outbreak  of  curs- 
ing) 

If  He  be  the  Son  of  God,  let  Him  come  down 
from  the  cross  and  take  us  with  Him. 

SECOND  THIEF 

And  we  indeed  are  justly  condemned  for  we 
receive  the  due  reward  for  our  deeds,  but  this 
Man  hath  done  nothing  amiss. 

THE  PEOPLE 
Hail,  King  of  the  Jews ! 


156  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

FIRST  THIEF 
(in  horrible  rage) 

Let  Him  now  release  me  from  this  cross  and  I 
will  believe  on  Him. 

SECOND  THIEF 
(addressing  Jesus  directly) 
Lord,  remember  me  when  Thou  comest  into 
thy  kingdom.        FlRST  TmEF 

(sneering) 
His  Kingdom!     Ho,  ho! 

THE  PEOPLE 
Hail,  King  of  the  Jews! 

JESUS 

(calmly  to  the  Second   Thief) 
Verily,  I  say  unto  thee,  to-day  shalt  thou  be 
with  Me  in  Paradise. 

THE  SCRIBES 

(mocking) 
Paradise !    Paradise ! 

THE  PRIESTS 
(in  bitter  sarcasm) 
The  kingdom  of  the  King ! 

THE  MULTITUDE 
Hail,  King  of  the  Jews ! 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  157 

As  THE  MAN  turns  His  head  away  from  the 
Second  Thief,  His  glance  falls  upon  the  little 
group  nearest  the  foot  of  the  cross.  The  woman 
supported  by  the  young  man  lifts  her  head  and 
looks  at  Him,  such  love,  such  heartbreak,  such 
agony,  such  hopelessness  in  her  eyes  as  cannot 
be  described.  She  stretches  out  her  hands  to 
Him  in  vain  but  desperate  appeal.  The  young 
man  holding  her  firmly  looks  in  the  same  way 
at  the  Figure  on  the  cross. 

JESUS 

Woman,  behold  thy  son. 

He  pauses  a  moment  and  then  looks  search- 
ingly  at  John. 

JESUS 

Behold,  thy  mother. 

John  answers  with  his  eyes.  He  cannot  speak. 
He  turns  and  half  leads,  half  carries,  the  woman, 
faintly  protesting,  away  from  the  hill.  The 
crowd  silently  watches  the  little  group  pass  and 
disappear  through  the  ancient  gate  in  the  city 
wall.  The  last  sound  that  greets  their  ears  is 
a  mocking  cry. 

THE  MULTITUDE 

Hail,  King  of  the  Jews! 


II 

THE  HOURS  OF  DARKNESS 

It  is  high  noon  now,  but  a  strange  darkness  is 
in  the  air.  An  impalpable  mist  or  grayness  has 
been  stealing  athwart  the  heavens  for  some 
time.  The  sun  has  shone  luridly  through  the  ob- 
scurity. It  grows  rapidly  darker  and  more 
dark.  Presently,  the  sun  is  completely  gone. 
It  is  not  the  blackness  of  midnight,  however, 
that  results,  but  a  peculiar  deepening  shadow  in 
which  each  man  can  perhaps  see  the  white  face 
of  his  nearest  neighbor  and  no  farther.  Yet  all 
can  apprehend  clearly  the  three  crosses  upon  the 
high  hill.  Caiaphas  and  his  assessors  consult  to- 
gether anxiously  from  time  to  time.  Strange 
silences  supervene,  broken  by  excited  sounds 
here  and  there  which  quickly  die  away.  Many  sit 
down  quietly  to  wait  the  end.  There  is  nothing 
to  do  but  wait.  The  less  bold  and  hardy  slink 
away  from  the  outskirts  of  the  assemblage.  Men 
look  from  the  darkened  heavens  to  the  crosses 
in  a  strange  awe.  Only  the  boldest  affect  mock- 
ery and  disdain.  Here  and  there  a  single  voice, 
less  timid  than  the  rest,  raises  the  old  cry:  Hail, 
King  of  the  Jews!  but  there  is  no  unanimity  in 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  159 

the  words,  no  volume  of  sound  in  the  phrase 
now.  The  darkness  grows  more  overpowering 
as  the  slow  hours  drag  along. 

Shrieks  of  pain  and  anguish  from  the  First 
Thief  are  plainly  heard  from  time  to  time.  The 
Second  Thief  has  caught  something  of  the  heroic 
resolution  of  THE  MAN  and  for  the  most  part 
he  is  silent  save  for  low  moans  now  and  then. 
Suddenly  in  the  silence,  a  voice  is  heard  loud 
and  clear  from  the  highest  cross. 

JESUS 
Eloi,  Eloi,  lama  sabachthani! 

LONGINUS 

(to  a  Hebrew  rabbi  standing  near) 
What  meaneth  He  by  those  words? 

THE  RABBI 
(answering) 

They  have  this  significance,  Roman:  My  God, 
My  God,  why  hast  Thou  forsaken  Me? 

VOICES 

(farther  off  in  the  darkness) 
What  is  this  that  He  saith? 

OTHERS 
This  Man  calleth  for  Elijah. 


160  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

THE  PRIESTS 

Let  be,  let  us  see  whether  Elijah  will  come  to 
save  Him. 

VOICES 
(scattered) 

Hail,  King  of  the  Jews ! 
Nearly  three  hours  of  darkness  have  dragged 
on.     The  afternoon  is  wearing  away  when  the 
watchers  hear  again  a  voice  from  the  highest 
cross. 

JESUS 
I  thirst! 

LONGINUS 
(to  a  soldier) 
Give  Him  to  drink. 

The  soldier  picks  up  a  reed  and  fastens  upon  the 
end  of  it  a  sponge.  This  he  dips  into  a  skin  of 
sour  wine  which  they  had  brought  with  them, 
and  standing  on  tiptoe,  he  lifts  it  to  THE  MAN'S 
lips. 

It  is  now  the  ninth  hour  of  the  day,  about  three 
of  the  clock.  The  darkness  has  grown  thicker  un- 
til it  has  become  a  complete  obscuration,  and  yet, 
though  it  radiates  no  light,  every  spectator  is 
conscious  of  the  highest  cross.  He  sees  it  as  it 
were  in  mental  vision.  There  is  a  strange  tremu- 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  161 

lousness  in  the  incorporeal  air;  a  tremulousness, 
which,  in  the  imagination  of  the  beholders,  seems 
to  be  communicated  to  the  solid  and  substantial 
earth  upon  which  they  stand.  Those  who  have 
been  sitting,  rise  to  their  feet.  Hands  are  stretch- 
ed out  vaguely  in  the  blackness  as  if  to  bring  a 
reassuring  feeling  of  companionship  by  the  sense 
of  touch.  No  voices  are  raised  now.  It  is  so 
still  that  the  beating  of  thousands  of  hearts  seems 
to  each  man  listening  to  the  deep  throbs  within 
his  own  breast,  to  be  distinctly  audible  in  the 
black  vault. 

JESUS 

Father,  into  Thy  hands  I  commend  My  spirit. 
The  trembling  of  the  air  increases.  The  ground 
wavers  and  shakes. 

JESUS 

(with  a  great  and  terrible  cry) 
It  is  finished. 

The  earth  heaves  like  a  wave  of  the  sea.  The 
rocks  are  rent  in  twain.  The  tombs  on  the  hills 
are  thrown  open.  Peals  of  thunder  crash  and 
roll  along  the  black  sky.  Spectral  bodies  fill  the 
air.  A  breath  of  cold  blasts  those  who  yet  stand 
upon  the  hill.  The  affrighted  people  look  toward 


162  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

the  knoll.  To  their  distorted  imaginations  the 
crosses  are  alive.  They  seem  to  rise  and  spread 
athwart  the  heavens  and  extend  gigantic  arms 
menacing.  A  terror  as  of  death  is  upon  the 
Jews.  They  turn  panic  stricken  and  run  in  every 
direction.  The  Sanhedrists  gather  timorously 
around  Caiaphas.  Even  Annas  cowers  behind 
the  High  Priest,  white- faced,  stern,  but  compell- 
ing his  trembling  body  to  rise  and  confront  the 
silent  cross.  There  is  an  uneasy  movement 
among  the  soldiers.  A  hoarse  word  from  the 
centurion  recalls  them  to  their  senses. 

Presently  the  quaking  earth  is  still;  the  dark- 
ness disappears  from  the  sky.  Almost  instan- 
taneously, the  afternoon  sun  biases  upon  the 
three  crosses,  the  white-faced  legionaries,  the 
high  priest  and  the  deserted  countryside. 

LONGINUS 

(wiping  the  sweat  from  his  brow  and  looking  up 
at  the  inert  and  lifeless  figure  of  Jesus  hanging 
limp  and  collapsed  in  death) 

Certainly,  this  was  a  Righteous  Man. 

A  SOLDIER 
(standing  near) 
Ay,  a  Righteous  Man. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  163 

ANOTHER  SOLDIER 

(respectfully  doffing  his  casque  and  standing 
erect  in  an  attitude  of  attention  and  salute  look- 
ing up  at  Jesus) 

Hail,  King  of  the  Jews ! 

Longinus  stares  hard  at  the  huddle  of  priests 
grouped  about  the  undaunted  Caiaphas. 

LONGINUS 

(loudly  and  with  emphasis  as  if  in  challenge) 
Truly,  this  was  the  Son  of  God. 


Ill 

THE  NEW  TOMB  IN  THE  GARDEN 

A  galloping  horse  is  heard.  A  messenger  reins 
in  abruptly  before  the  chief  priests,  throws  him- 
self to  the  ground  and  advances  toward  Caiaphas. 

THE  MESSENGER 
(in  great  agitation) 

The  veil  of  the  temple  ...  is  rent  .  .  . 
in  twain! 

CAIAPHAS 

(alarmed,  but  mastering  his  emotion) 
Tell  it  not  in  Jerusalem. 

THE  MESSENGER 

(continuing) 

The  dead  have  risen  and  have  been  seen  within 
the  sacred  city. 

CAIAPHAS 
(imperiously) 

Silence!  (He  advances  toward  the  hill  and 
approaches  the  centurion.)  To-morrow  is  the 
Sabbath  day.  It  is  not  lawful  that  the  bodies 
should  remain  upon  the  crosses  on  the  Sabbath 
day. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  165 

LONGINUS 
(to  the  soldiers) 

Kill  them  and  let  them  be  taken  down.  (The 
centurion  now  looks  upon  life  in  a  different  way. 
His  thoughts  are  turned  from  cruelty  to  pity.)  It 
will  be  mercy  in  the  end  (he  adds). 

The  soldiers  with  clubs  and  hammers  approach 
the  malefactors,  and  finding  them  still  alive,  they 
break  their  legs  and  arms  and  batter  them  into 
death  and  silence.  Approaching  the  central  cross, 
they  are  about  to  strike  when  they  discover  that 
THE  MAN  is  already  dead. 

FIRST  SOLDIER 
(lifting  his  spear) 

Dead  already!  I'll  make  assurance  double 
sure. 

He  drives  the  broad  blade  through  the  side  in- 
to the  heart  of  THE  MAN.  Water  and  blood 
gush  out.  LONGINUS 

(to  Caiaphas) 
They  are  all  dead,  sir  priest,  what  now? 

JOSEPH  OF  ARIMATHAEA 

(advancing,  followed  by  John,  who  has  returned 
with  some  of  the  women,  some  other  friends  and 
Nicodemus) 


166  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

I  have  begged  the  body  of  the  Nazarene  from 
Pilate,  Oh  Centurion! 

Caiaphas  who  has  withdrawn  a  little  space 
now  comes  forward  and  listens. 

LONGINUS 

Thou  hast  authority  for  thy  saying,  Jew? 

JOSEPH  OF  ARIMATHAEA 

(presenting  an  order) 
Knowest  thou  the  Governor's  seal? 

LONGINUS 
(taking  the  paper) 

I  know  it.  (He  reads  it.)  Have  thy  wish 
There  He  hangs. 

CAIAPHAS 
(stepping  forward) 
What  wouldst  thou  do  with  Him? 

JOSEPH  OF  ARIMATHAEA 

(pointing) 

Yonder  in  that  garden  is  a  new  sepulcher 
wherein  hath  never  man  been  laid.  I  shall  place 
Him  there.  CAIAPHAS 

(severely) 

I  asked  thee  before:  Art  thou  also,  and  thou, 
Nicodemus,  in  the  following  of  this  dead  Naz- 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  167 

arene?    Neither  of  you  were  consenting  to  His 

dcEth 

JOSEPH  OF  ARIMATHAEA 

(dauntlessly) 
Thou  shalt  know  in  good  time,  Oh,  Caiaphas. 

NICODEMUS 

(boldly) 

Ay,  thou  shalt  see. 

Another  messenger  now  comes  up  the  hill.  He 
stops  before  Caiaphas.  The  High  Priest  turns. 

CAIAPHAS 
Didst  thou  have  audience  with  Pilate? 

MESSENGER 
I  did,  Master. 

CAIAPHAS 
And  my  message,  didst  thou  deliver  it? 

THE  MESSENGER 

With  thy  very  word,  thus:  Sir,  we  remember 
that  that  deceiver  said  while  He  was  yet  alive, 
After  three  days  I  will  rise  again.  Command, 
therefore,  that  the  sepulcher  may  be  made  sure 
until  the  third  day,  lest  His  disciples  come 
by  night  and  steal  Him  away  and  say  unto  the 
people,  He  is  risen  from  the  dead;  so  the  last 
error  shall  be  worse  than  the  first 


168  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

CAIAPHAS 
(  condescendingly  ) 
Thou  hast  well  remembered.    And  what  said 

the  Roman? 

THE  MESSENGER 

Lo,  this  is  his  answer:  Ye  have  a  watch.  Go 
your  way,  make  it  as  sure  as  ye  can. 

CAIAPHAS 
(turning) 
Dost  hear,  Centurion? 

LONGINUS 

(curtly) 

I  am  a  soldier.  I  must  have  more  than  the 
word  of  a  hireling  for  that. 

THE  MESSENGER 
(producing  an  order) 
Behold,  the  signet  of  the  noble  Pilate. 

LONGINUS 
(examining  it) 

This  order  also  shall  be  carried  out.  (Turn- 
ing to  Joseph  of  Arimathaea.)  Where  is  this 
tomb  of  thine? 

JOSEPH  OF  ARIMATHAEA 
Tis  cut  in  the  side  of  the  little  hill  in  yonder 
garden. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  169 

LONGINUS 
And  how  closest  thou  the  entrance? 

JOSEPH  OF  ARIMATHAEA 

With  a  great  rock  which  may  be  rolled  against 
it. 

CAIAPHAS 
(to  a  scribe) 

Stay  thou  here  until  the  Nazarene  be  entomb- 
ed. (He  hands  a  ring  to  the  scribe.)  See  that 
the  stone  be  sealed  with  my  seal  and  then  come 
and  report  to  me.  Joseph,  and  thou,Nicodemus — 
(He  stops  and  looks  at  them  in  frowning  men- 
ace.) We  shall  deal  with  you  later  on.  Look  to 
it 

ANNAS 

(grimly  pointing  to  the  hill) 
There  are  crosses  still  to  be  had  in  Jerusalem. 
He  laughs  and  shakes  his  head  as  they  turn 
away  followed  by  the  Priests  and  Scribes. 

LONGINUS 
What  shall  be  done  with  the  two  malefactors? 

JOSEPH  OF  ARIMATHAEA 

There  are  other  tombs  where  they  may  be 
bestowed. 


170  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

NICODEMUS 

They  died  by  the  side  (he  stops  and  lifts  his 
head)  of  the  King. 

LONGINUS 

And  one,  at  least,  repentant  and  in  prayer. 

Assisted  by  the  soldiers  and  the  women,  Jos- 
eph, Nicodemus,  their  servants,  and  the  others 
take  the  bodies  dozvn  from  the  crosses.  That  of 
Jesus,  wrapped  in  linen  and  covered  with  myrrh 
and  aloes,  is  borne  first  to  the  new  tomb  of  Jos- 
eph of  Arimathaea.  The  women  who  have  tender- 
ly assisted  walk  along  beside  the  bearers,  weeping, 
wailing  and  wringing  their  hands.  The  tomb  is 
a  cave  cut  in  the  rocky  hillside.  It  is  empty. 
Within  are  shelves  or  benches  of  stone  cut  from 
the  wall,  on  one  of  which  they  place  the  body. 

In  an  adjacent  tomb,  smaller  and  more  hum- 
ble, the  bodies  of  the  two  thieves  are  also  laid 
decently  away. 

A  great  stone,  requiring  the  united  efforts  of 
the  soldiers  and  of  the  Jewish  attendants  of  Jos- 
eph and  Nicodemus  is  then  rolled  to  the  mouth  of 
the  sepulcher.  Tapes  are  stretched  across  the 
joints  of  the  stone  and  wax  is  poured  upon  them, 
which  is  then  sealed  by  the  scribe  with  the  High 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  171 

Priest's  signet,  so  that  any  movement  of  the  stone 
will  break  the  seals. 

It  is  now  late  in  the  evening.  Joseph,  Nico- 
demus  and  the  women,  with  their  attendants,  re- 
tire; promising  to  come  back  after  the  Sabbath 
day  has  passed  and  more  fittingly  prepare  the 
body  of  Jesus  for  what  they  believe  will 
be  a  last  long  sleep,  than  they  can  do  in  the 
brief  time  which  has  been  at  their  disposal.  Two 
of  the  soldiers  are  set  to  guard  the  tomb.  The 
others  retire  some  distance  into  the  garden,  and, 
kindling  a  fire,  partake  of  their  evening  meal, 
while  they  discuss  the  strange  events  of  the 
day. 

And  THE  MAN  is  left  alone,  shut  up  in  His 
tomb,  which  is  sealed  with  the  seals  of  the  Church 
and  guarded  by  the  swords  of  the  Empire.  The 
long  agony  and  suffering  are  over — eternally 
over. 


PART  VI 
THE   RESURRECTION 


I 

THE  TESTIMONY  OF  THE  SOLDIERS 

SCENE:  A  street  in  Jerusalem  leading  from 
the  Praetorium  to  the  house  of  Caiaphas.  Time : 
Very  early  in  the  morning  of  the  third  day  after 
the  crucifixion  of  THE  MAN. 

It  is  still  dark.  A  few  flickering  lights  show 
dimly  here  and  there  from  windows  or  walls.  It 
is  very  quiet.  The  street  is  deserted  save  for  a 
little  handful  of  Roman  soldiers  who  are  slow- 
ly approaching  the  Praetorium.  They  shrink 
together  nervously  as  they  walk,  starting  at  each 
shadow  as  they  pass.  They  preserve  no  order. 
Their  faces  are  downcast,  and  instead  of  the  bold 
bearing  of  sturdy  legionaries,  they  give  every  evi- 
dence of  extreme  agitation.  They  are,  in  fact, 
completely  unnerved.  As  they  draw  near  the 
Praetorium,  their  steps  falter  and  slacken;  their 
progress  almost  ceases. 

A  VOICE 

(out  of  the  darkness) 
Halt!    Who  goes  there? 


176  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

The  approaching  soldiers  stop  suddenly  in  great 
confusion.  One  steps  toward  them  from  the 
entrance  to  the  Praetorium.  It  is  the  centurion 
making  his  rounds.  His  sword  flashes  in  a  faint 
gleam  of  light  from  a  dying  torch  on  the  front 
of  the  building. 

LONGINUS 
(questioning) 

Whom  have  we  here?     (He  steps  nearer.) 
Why,  'tis  the  guard  from  the  tomb  of  the  Naz- 
arenef     (He  stares  at  them  in  astonishment.) 
Are  ye  all  here?     (He  inspects  them  rapidly.) 
Ay,  every  one.    Why  have  ye  left  your  post? 
FIRST  SOLDIER 
(falteringly) 
Most  noble  Captain! 

His  voice  dies  away.    He  looks  from  one  to 
the  other  of  his  companions. 
LONGINUS 
(sternly) 

Speak!  I  command  you.    For  a  soldier  of  the 
legion  to  desert  his  post.    .    .    .     (He  pauses 
abruptly.)     What  is  the  punishment? 
SECOND  SOLDIER 

(whispering) 
Death,  lord. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  177 

LONGINUS 
(nodding  his  head) 
Thou  hast  well  said,  soldier. 

THIRD  SOLDIER 
(interrupting) 

We  have  been  as  dead  men  already,  Oh  Cen- 
turion ! 

LONGINUS 
(turning) 
Ha!    What  mean  ye  by  that? 

FOURTH  SOLDIER 

An  hour  or  so  agone  my  comrade  here  (point- 
ing to  another  soldier)  and  I  had  the  watch.  The 
others  slept  by  the  fire.  Ye  know  the  place.  All 
was  still.  It  was  the  intensest  quiet  of  the  night, 
the  hour  before  the  dawn,  when  .  .  . 

He  moistens  his  lips  and  looks  nervously  at  his 
comrades. 

LONGINUS 
(deeply  interested) 
Proceed.    Why  halt  ye? 

FOURTH  SOLDIER 

(uncertainly) 
The  story  is  so  incredible. 


178  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

LONGINUS 
(decisively) 

I  will  be  the  judge  of  that.  Speak  on  (with 
a  look  of  contempt  at  the  huddle  of  legionaries) 
and  as  becometh  men  who  follow  the  Eagles  of 
Rome. 

FOURTH  SOLDIER 
(nerving  himself  to  continue) 
My  fellow  and  I  were  awake.    We  kept  care- 
ful  watch  albeit  there  seemed  no  need,   when 
suddenly  the  place  was  filled  with  light    .    .    . 

LONGINUS 
(astonished) 
Light! 

FOURTH  SOLDIER 

(earnestly) 
Tis  even  so. 

FIFTH  SOLDIER 

(nodding) 
May  the  gods  destroy  us  if  it  be  not  true! 

LONGINUS 
(questioning) 
Whence  came  this  light? 

FOURTH  SOLDIER 
Sir,  I  know  not.    It  filled  the  garden. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  179 

LONGINUS 
Flashed  it  like  lightning? 

FIFTH  SOLDIER 
(interrupting) 
Nay,  it  glowed  like  the  sun. 

LONGINUS 

(turning  to  the  others) 
And  ye  who  slept,  did  ye  see  it  also? 

FIRST  SOLDIER 
My  lord,  it  awakened  us  on  the  instant. 

SIXTH  SOLDIER 
I  found  myself  on  my  knees  staring  dazzled. 

SECOND  SOLDIER 
I  to  my  feet  arose  and  gazed  bewildered. 

EIGHTH  SOLDIER 
I  covered  my  eyes  with  my  hands. 

LONGINUS 

(passing  his  hand  across  his  brow) 
Strange ! 

FOURTH  SOLDIER 

There  is  more,  my  lord.    For  even  as  we  look- 
ed we  were  aware  of  a    .     .     .    a  presence. 


180  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

LONGINUS 
(eagerly) 
Was  it  the  Nazarene? 

FOURTH  SOLDIER 
No. 

LONGINUS 
(disappointed) 
Who  then? 

FOURTH  SOLDIER 
We  cannot  tell. 

FIFTH  SOLDIER 
A  messenger  from  the  gods  belike. 

LONGINUS 
How  looked  he? 

FOURTH  SOLDIER 
His  countenance  was  like  the  lightning. 

FIFTH  SOLDIER 

(his  voice  sinking  to  a  whisper) 
His  raiment  white  as  snow. 

LONGINUS 

(catching  his  breath  and  turning  to  the  others) 
Saw  ye  this  messenger  of  the  gods? 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  181 

SEVERAL  SOLDIERS 

(together) 
Ay,  even  as  he  saith. 

LONGINUS 

What  then? 

FOURTH  SOLDIER 

The  earth  shook  as  it  did  when  we  crucified 
the  Nazarene.  We  could  not  maintain  our  foot- 
ing. The  messenger  of  the  gods  approached  the 
stone  closing  the  tomb,  as  we  fell  to  the  ground. 
He  laid  his  hand  upon  it.  We  saw  it  move  .  .  . 
fall 

The  soldier  stops  abruptly.  The  legionaries 
crowd  closer  together  and  confront  the  centurion, 
their  white  faces  and  sweat  covered  brows  show- 
ing faintly  in  the  dim  light  from  the  torch  above. 

LONGINUS 

(his  own  voice  scarcely  audible) 
What  then?    Who  came  forth? 
The  soldiers  make  no  answer. 

LONGINUS 
(insisting) 
What  saw  ye? 

FIFTH  SOLDIER 
(in  an  awestruck  voice) 


182  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

My  lord,  we  were  as  dead  men.  After  the 
moving  of  the  stone  we  saw  nothing. 

FOURTH  SOLDIER 

y 

(in  a  shamefaced  way) 
We  had  fainted. 

LONGINUS 

(with  passionate  contempt  and  disappointment) 
Fainted!     Like  women?     Would  I  had  been 
there ! 

FIRST  SOLDIER 
(resentfully) 
My  lord,  if  thou  hadst    .     .    . 

SEVENTH  SOLDIER 

(interrupting) 

I  fear  naught  in  human  shape,  nor  ravening 
beast,  but  this  was  of  the  immortal  gods. 

LONGINUS 

(recovering  his  composure) 
Proceed.    What  next? 

SECOND  SOLDIER 

(explaining) 

When  our  eyes  were  opened,  the  place  was 
dark.  The  fire  burned  fitfully  beneath  the  trees. 
One  seized  a  torch 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  183 

SIXTH  SOLDIER 
(taking  up  the  tale) 

'Twas  I,  and  drawing  our  swords  we  approach- 
ed the  cave  in  the  hill.  The  rock  was  rolled 
away. 

LONGINUS 
(starting) 
Away,  sayest  thou? 

THIRD  SOLDIER 
(extending  his  hand) 
Here  are  the  broken  seals. 

FOURTH  SOLDIER 
Together  we  peered  into  the  tomb. 

LONGINUS 

(eagerly) 
What  saw  ye? 

FIFTH  SOLDIER 
Nothing ! 

LONGINUS 

(amazed) 
Nothing ! 

FOURTH  SOLDIER 

(firmly) 
My  lord,  the  tomb  was  empty. 


184  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

LONGINUS 

(more  and  more  surprised) 
It  was  no  dream  of  thine,  then  ? 

FIFTH  SOLDIER 

(indignant) 
Dream?    Hadst  thou  been  there    .    .    . 

LONGINUS 

(uplifting  his  hand) 
Didst  search  the  garden? 

FIRST  SOLDIER 
At  once. 

LONGINUS 
(eagerly) 
And  found? 

FIFTH  SOLDIER 
Nothing. 

LONGINUS 
And  then  ? 

FIFTH  SOLDIER 

There  being  naught  left  to  watch,  we  came 
here. 

LONGINUS 

(severely,  looking  from  one  to  another) 
And  is  this  the  truth? 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  185 

VOICES 

By  Jove!  j 

By  Hercules !         V  We  swear ! 
By  all  the  gods!    ) 

FOURTH  SOLDIER 

(earnestly) 

Thou  knowest  us,  Longinus.  Thou  hast  led 
us  on  many  a  field.  Thou  knowest  our  temper 
and  our  courage.  We  fear  not  man,  but  this 
was  something  more. 

LONGINUS 
What  more? 

FOURTH  SOLDIER 
I  know  not. 

LONGINUS 

(shaking  has  head  and  falling  into  revery) 
The  Son  of  God!     The  King  of  the  Jews! 
Tis  passing  strange.    There  is  more  in  this  than 
my  Roman  brain  can  grasp. 

He  pauses  in  deep  thought.  The  Fifth  Soldier 
at  last  ventures  to  break  the  silence. 

FIFTH  SOLDIER 
What  now,  my  lord? 


186  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

LONGINUS 

(recovering  himself  by  an  effort) 
Go  ye  to  Caiaphas;  tell  him  your  story  and 
return  hither  to  me. 

The  soldiers  salute,  and  turn  to  go  down  the 
street.  The  Fifth  Soldier  halts  them.  With  a 
gesture,  he  turns  and  faces  Longinus. 

FIFTH  SOLDIER 

(wistfully) 

Centurion,  believest  thou  that  we  have  spoken 
true? 

LONGINUS 
(hesitating) 
I  believe. 

FIFTH  SOLDIER 

(relieved) 

We  thank  thee.  Comrades,  forward! 
As  their  footsteps  die  away  in  the  street,  Lon- 
ginus paces  the  pavement  back  and  forth  ponder- 
ing. The  Son  of  God!  This  passeth  the  exper- 
ience of  a  soldier  and  is  beyond  the  ken  of  man. 
The  King  of  the  Jews !  I  heard  the  noble  Pilate 
ask,  What  is  truth?  What,  indeed? 

He  remains  silent  a  long  time.  Presently  he 
sits  down  upon  the  edge  of  the  portico,  wrapping 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  187 

his  cloak  about  him.      He  is  plunged  in  deep 
thought. 

Light  softly  pervades  the  East.  After  a  while 
footfalls  are  heard  again  upon  the  pavement. 
Arms  and  armor  clash  faintly.  The  soldiers  are 
returning.  The  centurion  rises  to  his  feet  as 
they  come  to  a  halt  before  him. 

LONGINUS 

You  have  discharged  your  errand  quickly. 
What  said  the  priests? 

FIRST  SOLDIER 
At  first  they  swore  we  lied. 

SECOND  SOLDIER 
(tapping  his  blade) 
But  we  persuaded  them  we  spoke  true. 

THIRD  SOLDIER 
They  cnarged  us  with  being  cowards. 

FOURTH  SOLDIER 
And  we  laughed  at  them  for  that. 

FIFTH  SOLDIER 

The  very  old  one,  he  of  the  shrill,  cracked 
laugh  .... 


188  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

LONGINUS 

Annas? 

FIFTH  SOLDIER 

So  they  called  him — said  at  last,  what  mattered 
it  how,  so  long  as  the  body  of  the  Nazarene  was 
gone.  They  said  He  had  declared  that  He  would 
rise  from  the  dead  in  three  days  and  lest  this 
should  be  believed  and  the  people  be  perverted 
thereby  they  told  us  to  declare  that  while  we 
slept  His  disciples  came  and  stole  Him  away. 

He  laughs  scornfully  at  the  bare  idea  of  such 
a  dereliction  of  duty  on  the  part  of  Roman  sol- 
diers. 

SIXTH  SOLDIER 
(extending  a  hand  full  of  bright  pieces  of  gold) 

Ay,  and  they  gave  each  of  us  the  price  of 
many  slaves  to  agree  to  this  story. 

LONGINUS 
But  if  it  come  to  the  ears  of  the  Governor? 

SEVENTH  SOLDIER 

They  have  promised  to  persuade  him  to  secure 
us. 

LONGINUS 
And  what  said  ye? 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  189 

EIGHTH  SOLDIER 

(laughing) 

The  gold  is  good,  most  noble  captain. 
He  jingles  his  portion  lovingly  in  his  palm.  It 
is  lighter  now  and  the  legionaries  are  not  so  fear- 
ful as  they  were. 

LONGINUS 
(caustically} 
And  ye  so  agreed? 

ALL 

(together) 
We  agreed. 

FOURTH  SOLDIER 
(insinuatingly) 

Knowing  that  if  the  worst  came  thou  couldst 
tell  the  governor  the  truth,  most  noble  Longinus. 
So  we  have  the  Jews'  money  and  our  safety, 
too. 

SIXTH  SOLDIER 
(proffering  money) 
A  share  of  ours  is  thine. 

LONGINUS 

(waving  him  away  abruptly) 
I  want  none  of  it.     Perhaps  the  priests  have 
found  the  easiest  way.    Go  ye  to  your  quarters; 


190  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

and,  hark  ye,  say  naught  of  this  to  any  man  un- 
less upon  compulsion. 

SOLDIERS 
(saluting) 

We  shall  obey  thee. 
Health  to  the  Centurion ! 
Hail  and  farewell! 

The  gods  have  thee  in  their  keeping,  O  most 
excellent  Longinus! 

LONGINUS 

(watching  them  disappear  within  the  barracks 
and  then  looking  up  to  the  sky) 

The  day  breaks. 

He,  too,  turns  and  slowly  follows  the  soldiers. 


II 

THE  TESTIMONY  OF  THE  WOMEN 

SCENE:  A  garden  outside  the  walls  of  Jeru- 
salem, at  the  back  of  which  rises  a  cliff  in  whose 
wall  is  cut  an  opening  which  has  been  covered  or 
closed  by  a  slab  of  dressed  stone,  now  lying  on 
the  ground  at  one  side.  Time:  Just  before  the 
break  of  day  on  the  third  day  after  the  crucifix- 
ion. 

Three  naked  crosses  upon  a  hill  far  away  from 
the  garden,  faintly  silhouetted  against  the  almost 
impalpable  grayness  that  steals  above  the  hori- 
zon, are  grim  reminders  of  the  terrible  scene  of 
the  preceding  Friday. 

A  little  band  of  women,  Mary  Magdalene,  Sa- 
lome, Joanna,  Mary  the  mother  of  James,  and 
perhaps  others,  are  seen  on  the  path  branching 
from  the  high  road  and  approaching  the  garden. 

MARY  MAGDALENE 
(in  great  distress  of  mind) 
Who  shall  roll  us  away  the  stone  from  the  door 
of  the  sepulcher? 

SALOME 
{hesitatingly) 
Perhaps  the  Roman  soldiers     .     .     . 


192  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

JOANNA 
(interrupting) 

But  they  may  not  permit  us  access  to  the 
tomb. 

MARY  THE  MOTHER  OF  JAMES 

(nodding  her  head) 

Ay,  it  bears  the  seal  of  the  high  priest  you 
recall. 

JOANNA 
(explaining) 

But  if  we  break  the  seal,  it  is  not  the  same  as 
if  the  Lord  had  done  so. 

MARY  MAGDALENE 

(suddenly) 
Hush! 

The  little  group  stops  at  the  entrance  to  the 
garden.    The  women  listen. 

SALOME 
(whispering) 
I  hear  nothing. 

MARY  MAGDALENE 

(pointing) 

The  fire  light  dies.     The  soldiers  should  be 
there. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  193 

JOANNA 

(gazing  toward  the  dim  light) 
Perhaps  they  sleep. 

MARY  MAGDALENE 

(resolutely) 
Let  us  enter. 

With  careful  steps  the  little  band  of  women 
enters  the  garden  and  walks  cautiously  toward  the 
fire.  They  stop  upon  the  confines  of  what  had 
been  the  camp  and  look  about  them  in  surprise, 
speaking  to  one  another  in  low,  hushed  voices. 

MARY  THE  MOTHER  OF  JAMES 
They  are  not  here. 

SALOME 
Where  have  they  gone? 

MARY  MAGDALENE 
(after  a  moment's  deep  thought) 
Let  us  go  to  the  sepulcher. 
She  steps  forward,  followed  by  the  others,  when 
they  are  suddenly  aware  of  a  bright  unearthly 
light  through  the  trees. 

SALOME 
(in  terror) 
What  is  that? 


194  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

MARY  THE  MOTHER  OF  JAMES 

(affrighted) 
Tis  not  the  day. 

SALOME 
(nervously) 
The  God  of  our  fathers  defend  us  now. 

JOANNA 

(peering  and  pointing) 
The  stone  is  rolled  away! 
They  stop  uncertainly  and  huddle  together. 

MARY  MAGDALENE 
(detaching  herself  from  the  others) 

I  go  forward. 

She  steps  on  in  the  direction  of  the  sepulcher 
and  after  a  momentary  hesitation  the  other  -wo- 
men follow  her  closely.  She  stops  in  the  open 
doorway.  The  stone  has  been  rolled  away.  The 
place  is  radiant  with  a  light  supernal.  Just  with- 
in the  entrance  upon  one  of  the  benches  sits  a 
white-robed  resplendent  figure. 

Mary  Magdalene  raises  her  hand  to  her  face 
and  stares  petrified.  The  other  women  are  close 
by  her  side.  The  little  group  stands  as  if  rooted 
to  the  spot.  The  light  grows  brighter.  On  a 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  195 

sudden  impulse  they  veil  their  heads.   A  voice 
comes  to  them. 

THE  ANGEL 

Fear  not  ye,  for  I  know  that  ye  seek  Jesus 
which  was  crucified. 

There  is  a  little  pause  in  which  the  women  can 
hear  the  beating  of  their  own  hearts. 

THE  ANGEL 

He  is  not  here.  He  is  risen  as  He  said. 

The  women,  as  if  constrained,  lift  their  heads 
and  look  again.  The  Angel  has  risen.  He  points 
into  the  recesses  of  the  sepulcher  clearly  visible 
in  the  supernal  light. 

Come!    See  the  place  where  the  Lord  lay. 

He  beckons  to  them.  The  women  timidly  and 
with  faltering  steps  obeying  the  heavenly  com- 
mand slowly  enter  a  little  farther  into  the  sep- 
ulcher and  look  about. 

THE  ANGEL. 

Why  seek  ye  Him  that  liveth  among  the  dead  ? 
He  is  not  here,  but  is  risen.  Remember  how  He 
spake  unto  you  when  He  was  yet  in  Galilee,  say- 
ing, The  Son  of  Man  must  be  delivered  in- 
to the  hands  of  sinful  men  and  be  crucified 
.  .  .  and  the  third  day  rise  again. 


196  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

In  obedience  to  a  gesture  from  the  Angel,  the 
women  withdraw  from  the  sepulcher  and  stand 
uncertainly  about  the  entrance.  The  Angel  fol- 
lows them  and  pauses  before  them. 

THE  ANGEL 

(extending  his  hand  toward  the  city) 
Go  quickly.    Tell  His  disciples  and  Peter,  He 
is  risen  from  the  dead.    And,  behold,  He  goeth 
before  you  into  Galilee.    There  shall  ye  see  Him. 
(He  pauses  again.)    Lo,  I  have  told  you. 
He  vanishes. 
The  women  are  left  alone  in  the  darkness. 

SALOME 
(whispering) 
Heardest  thou? 

JOANNA 
(faintly) 
Sawest  thou? 

MARY  THE  MOTHER  OF  JAMES 

(stepping  back) 

Let  us  go  and  tell  the  disciples  as  we  were 
commanded. 
They  turn  away;  all  but  Mary  Magdalene. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  197 

JOANNA 

(laying  her  hand  upon  Mary  Magdalene's  shoul- 
der) 

Comest  thou? 

Mary  Magdalene  shakes  her  head. 

JOANNA 
(  understanding  ) 

Wait  thou  here  then  and  we  will  return  for 
thee  with  Peter  and  the  rest. 

The  three  turn  and  go  quickly  from  the  gar- 
den. Mary  Magdalene  throws  herself  upon  the 
ground  and  buries  her  face  in  her  hands  praying 
and  weeping.  Presently,  she  is  aware  again  of 
the  light,  the  supernal  light.  She  lifts  her 
head  and  rises  to  her  knees.  Within  the  tomb 
she  sees  two  figures,  one  at  the  foot  and  the  other 
at  the  head  of  the  place  where  they  had  laid 
THE  MAN.  Again  there  comes  to  her  a  voice. 

THE  ANGELS 
Woman,  why  weepest  thou? 

MARY  MAGDALENE 
(apparently  not  having  realised  the  message  of 

the  first  Angel.) 

Because  they  have  taken  away  my  Lord  and 
I  know  not  where  they  have  laid  Him. 


198  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

She  turns  away  and  staggers  through  the  trees 
into  the  depths  of  the  garden.  There  she  kneels 
down  and  buries  her  face  in  her  hands,  her  whole 
body  shaking  with  sobs.  In  the  midst  of  her 
grief  she  hears  a  footstep.  She  looks  up.  A 
Figure  may  be  seen  dimly  in  the  darkness,  for 
the  sun  has  not  yet  risen  and  the  pale  light  of 
breaking  day  has  not  gathered  sufficient  power 
to  penetrate  beneath  the  shadow  cast  by  the  trees. 

A  VOICE 

(repeating  the  angelic  question) 
Woman,  why  weepest  thou? 
Mary  Magdalene  makes  no   answer   to    this 
question. 

THE  VOICE 

(persisting  in  questioning) 
Whom  seekest  thou? 

MARY  MAGDALENE 

(brushing  the  tears  from  her  eyes  with  her  hand 
and  speaking  to  herself) 

It  is  the  gardener.  (Aloud  to  the  speaker.) 
Sir,  I  seek  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  which  was  laid 
there.  He  is  gone.  If  thou  have  borne  Him  hence, 
tell  me  where  thou  hast  laid  Him  and  I  will  take 
Him  away. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  199 

She  bows  her  head  and  hides  her  face  in  her 
hands  again.  There  is  a  little  pause. 

THE  VOICE 

Mary! 

The  woman  lowers  her  hands  and  looks  up. 
There  is  a  strange  and  sudden  light  in  the  place. 
Now  she  sees  and  believes. 

MARY  MAGDALENE 
(with  a  low  cry  of  ecstasy) 

Rabboni !    Master ! 

She  reaches  out  her  hands  to  Him  as  if  to 
touch  Him. 

JESUS 

(withdrawing  slightly  and    raising    His    hand 
clearly  marked  with  the  imprint  of  the  nail) 

Touch  Me  not;  for  I  am  not  yet  ascended  to 
My  Father:  but  go  to  my  brethren  and  say 
unto  them,  I  ascend  unto  My  Father  and 
your  Father,  and  to  My  God  and  your  God. 

He  vanishes. 

Mary  Magdalene  rises  to  her  feet,  supporting 
herself  with  her  hand  upon  a  tree. 

MARY  MAGDALENE 
I  have  seen  the  Lord !    He  is  risen ! 


200  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

She  turns  and  leaves  the  garden  following  the 
direction  of  the  other  women. 

After  a  long  time  footsteps  are  heard  upon 
the  road.  A  rapidly  running  figure  followed 
closely  by  another  rushes  through  the  trees  and 
stops  abruptly  at  the  mouth  of  the  sepulcher.  The 
space  in  front  of  it  is  slightly  clear  and  in  the 
increasing  light  of  day,  for  the  sun  is  up  at  last, 
every  corner  is  disclosed.  The  first  comer  kneels 
down  at  the  entrance.  The  second  person  now 
arrives  before  the  sepulcher.  He  does  not  stop 
at  the  door.  Passing  the  first,  he  enters  and 
stands  aghast.  After  a  moment  the  kneeling 
man  rises  and  follows  the  second  into  the  sepul- 
cher. 

PETER 

(in  wonder) 
He  is  not  here. 

JOHN 
They  laid  Him  there. 

PETER 

(laying  his  hand  upon  the  cloth) 
Here  is  the  linen  which  clothed  Him. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  201 

JOHN 

(stooping  down) 
And  here  the  napkin  that  was  about  His  head. 

PETER 
The  women  have  told  the  truth. 

JOHN 

Oh,  that  some  Angel  from  heaven  would  speak 
to  us  and  explain. 

PETER 

No  voice  from  heaven  will  come  to  me,  for  I 
denied  my  Lord. 

JOHN 

(soothingly,   putting  his  arm  about  the  older 
man) 

But  thou  wast  terribly  tempted  and  He  will 
forgive  thee.    I  feel  it  here. 
He  lays  his  hand  upon  his  breast. 

PETER 
Thinkest  thou  so? 

JOHN 

I  know  it;  did  He  not  say  unto  thee,  Until 
seventy  times  seven? 

PETER 
They  have  taken  Him  away.   He  is  gone.    If 


202  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

He  lives  I  will  seek  him  throughout  the  world 
until  I  find  Him  to  beg  His  forgiveness.  Come, 
let  us  tell  the  others  of  the  story. 

JOHN 

(turning  with  him) 
And  the  linen? 

PETER 

Leave  it  there.  Let  us  go  to  Joseph  of  Ari- 
mathaea  and  Nicodemus  and  the  brethren. 

They  turn  and  walk  quickly  away  in  deep  and 
solemn  converse;  and  the  little  garden  is  left 
empty  of  angels,  of  women,  of  men,  and  of  its 
Lord,  in  the  bright  light  of  the  brilliant  April, 
morning. 


Ill 

THE  UPPER  CHAMBER. 

SCENE  :  A  large  room  in  the  upper  story  of  a 
house  in  Jerusalem.  Tables  are  set  for  the  even- 
ing meal  of  which  most  of  the  company  have  al- 
ready partaken,  though  some  late  comers  are 
still  eating.  Time:  Evening  of  the  third  day 
after  the  crucifixion. 

Ten  of  the  apostles,  Judas  being  dead  and 
Thomas  being  absent,  are  assembled  here.  With 
the  ten  are  other  disciples  and  among  them  are 
the  faithful  women.  They  are  talking  earnestly 
in  low,  hushed  voices.  Peter  is  the  center  of  one 
group;  Mary  Magdalene  of  another;  Salome, 
Joanna  and  Mary  the  Mother  of  James,  of  a 
third.  By  the  side  of  Mary  Magdalene  sits  Mary 
the  Mother  of  Jesus.  Back  of  her,  his  hand  laid 
tenderly  upon  her  shoulder,  stands  John.  There 
is  constant  movement  to  and  fro,  a  shifting  from 
group  to  group  as  different  voices  are  heard. 

MARY  MAGDALENE 

(emphatically') 

I  have  seen  the  Lord.  He  is  risen  from  the 
dead. 


204  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

SIMON  PETER 
(corroborating  her) 

He  is  risen  indeed  and  hath  appeared  unto 
me. 

SALOME 

As  we  were  returning  to  the  garden  this  morn- 
ing we  met  Him  in  the  way. 

JOHN 
Spake  He  unto  you? 

SALOME 
Yea,  He  spake. 

ANDREW 
What  said  He? 

THE  WOMEN 
Hail!  All  hail! 

JAMES 
What  did  ye  then? 

f 

SALOME 

We  knelt  at  His  feet  to  worship  Him  and  He 
said  unto  us,  Be  not  afraid,  go  tell  My  brethren 
that  they  go  into  Galilee.  There  shall  they  see 
Me. 

MARY  MAGDALENE 

It  is  the  same  message  with  which  He  charged 
me. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  205 

NATHANIEL 
Would  that  I  might  see  the  Lord! 

JAMES,  ANDREW,  JOHN  AND  OTHERS  OF  THE 
APOSTLES 

Would  that  we  all  might  see  Him! 

There  is  a  low  knock  on  the  door.  Those  with- 
in the  room  stop  still  in  surprise  not  unmingled 
with  terror.  Their  voices  falter  and  cease. 

JOHN 
(timidly) 
Who  can  it  be? 

ANDREW 

(in  a  frightened  whisper) 
Is  it  the  Lord? 

PETER 

(more  boldly) 
I  shall  open  the  door. 

He  steps  to  the  door,  unbars  it  and  throws  it 
open. 

PETER 

(raising  his  hands  in  astonishment) 
Cleopas ! 

A  man  enters  the  room  followed  by  a  com- 
panion. 


206  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

PETER 

Thou  art   welcome,   Cleopas,  and  thou,  too, 
Luke. 
He  closes  and  securely  bars  the  door. 

JOHN 

(pressing  forward) 

The  Lord  hath  risen  indeed  and  hath  appeared 
to  Simon. 

CELOPAS 
(gravely) 
That  we  know. 

JAMES 

(in  great  surprise) 
Hast  thou,  too,  seen  Him.? 

CLEOPAS 

(nodding  affirmatively) 
With  Luke,  the  beloved  Physician. 

LUKE 
It  is  even  so. 

VOICES 

(in  great  excitement) 
When? 
Where? 

How  looked  He? 
What  said  He? 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  207 

CLEOPAS 

(stilling  them  with  a  gesture) 
Give  me  leave,  brethren,  and  I  will  tell  thee. 
This  afternoon,  I,  and  Luke,  here,  set  forth 
from  the  Holy  City  for  our  home  at  Emmaus, 
which,  as  ye  know,  lieth  about  three-score  fur- 
longs hence.  Our  hearts  were  heavy  and  we 
talked  together  sadly,  as  men  without  hope,  of 
all  the  things  that  had  happened.  And  it  came 
to  pass  that  while  we  communed  together  One 
drew  near,  joined  Himself  to  us  and  went  with 
us. 

PETER 

(interrupting) 
And  who  was  He? 

LUKE 

We  knew  not ;  our  eyes  were  holden.  He  was 
to  us  a  stranger. 

JOHN 
What  said  He? 

CLEOPAS 

He  said  to  us,  What  manner  of  communications 
are  these  that  ye  have  one  with  another  as  ye 
walk  and  are  sad? 


208  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

ANDREW 
(pressing  closer) 
And  what  answer  madest  thou? 

CLEOPAS 

I  said  to  Him:  Art  thou  only  a  stranger  in 
Jerusalem  and  hast  not  known  these  things  which 
are  come  to  pass  there  in  these  days? 

LUKE 
And  He  said  unto  us:  What  things? 

CLEOPAS 

And  we  said  unto  Him,  concerning  Jesus  of 
Nazareth  which  was  a  prophet  mighty  in  deed 
and  word  before  God  and  all  the  people,  and  how 
the  chief  priests  and  our  rulers  delivered  Him 
to  be  condemned  to  death  and  have  crucified  Him, 
but  we  trusted  it  had  been  He  which  should  have 
redeemed  Israel.  And  beside  all  this,  to-day  was 
the  third  day  since  those  things  were  done, 
wherefore  we  marveled  the  more  that  He  had  not 
heard. 

LUKE 

Yea,  we  told  Him  that  certain  women  also  of 
our  company  made  us  astonished  for  they  were 
early  at  the  sepulcher  and  when  they  found  not 
His  body,  they  came  back  saying  that  they  had 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  209 

seen  a  vision  of  angels  which  said  that  He  was 
alive. 

CLEOPAS 

And  we  told  Him  that  certain  of  them  which 
were  with  us,  thou,  John,  and  thou,  Peter,  went 
to  the  sepulcher  and  found  it  empty  as  the  wo- 
men had  said,  but  Jesus  they  saw  not. 

Cleopas  pauses.  The  room  is  very  still.  Peter 
breaks  the  silence. 

PETER 

(in  a  low  voice) 
And  what  said  thy  Companion  then? 

CLEOPAS 

These  are  His  very  words :  Oh  fools,  and  slow 
of  heart  to  believe  all  that  the  prophets  have 
spoken !  Ought  not  Christ  to  have  suffered  these 
things,  and  to  enter  into  His  glory  ? 

PETER 

(his  face  lighting) 

Ay,  He  said  unto  us  in  Galilee — ye  remember 
it  brethren? — that  the  Son  of  Man  must  be  de- 
livered up  into  the  hands  of  sinful  men  to  be  cru- 
cified and  the  third  day  He  would  rise  again. 


210  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

MARY  MAGDALENE 

(softly) 
It  was  the  very  message  of  the  angel. 

JOHN 

(anxious  for  more  tidings) 
Say  on. 

CLEOPAS 

As  we  walked  along,  beginning  at  Moses  and 
all  the  prophets,  He  expounded  unto  us  in  all 
the  Scriptures  the  things  concerning  Himself. 
When  we  drew  nigh  unto  the  village,  He  made  as 
though  He  would  have  gone  further,  but  we  con- 
strained Him  saying,  Abide  with  us  for  it  is 
toward  evening,  and  the  day  is  far  spent. 

PETER 
And  did  He  accede  to  thy  request? 

LUKE 

Even  so.  He  entered  with  us  into  the  house 
and  we  did  set  the  evening  meal  before  Him — 

(The  disciple  stops;  he  looks  at  Cleopas — ) 
Tell  it  thou  (he  adds  in  a  whisper.) 

CELOPAS 

And  He  took  bread  and  blessed  it  and  brake 
it  and  gave  it  unto  us  and  our  eyes  were  opened— 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  211 

— there  is  a  long  pause — And  we  knew  He  was 
the  Lord. 

PETER 
And  what  then? 

CLEOPAS 

Even  in  the  act  He  vanished  from  our  sight. 
I  looked  to  Luke  and  he  to  me.    We  were  alone. 

MARY  MAGDALENE 
He  is  risen. 

LUKE 
Christ  is  risen,  indeed! 

CLEOPAS 

(turning  to  his  companion) 
Did  not  our  hearts  burn  within  us  while  He 
talked  with  us  by  the  way? 

LUKE 
And  while  He  opened  to  us  the  Scriptures  ? 

CLEOPAS 

(addressing  the  others) 

And  then  we  came  hither  with  all  speed  to  tell 
you  of  what  we  had  seen. 

PETER 

(emphatically) 
Thou  hast  well  done.   The  Master  hath  been 


212  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

seen  of  Mary,  of  the  other  women,  by  me  who 
am  the  least  of  us  all,  and  by  you  and  .  .  . 

He  stops  abruptly. 

Standing  in  the  middle  of  the  room  is  the  fig- 
ure of  THE  MAN.  They  all  rise  to  their  feet 
and  stand  aghast.  There  is  a  tendency  to  avoid 
Him.  No  one  presumes  to  speak.  Their  knees 
strike  together.  Their  hearts  stop  beating.  Only 
His  Mother  stretches  out  her  hand  to  Him.  Peter 
sinks  to  his  knees  and  hides  his  face.  The  dimly 
illuminated  room  is  full  of  irradiant  light. 

JESUS 

Peace  be  unto  you! 

They  shrink  farther  away  from  Him  and 
crowd  one  another  back  against  the  walls,  terror 
evidently  getting  the  mastery  of  them. 

JESUS 

Why  are  ye  troubled  and  why  do  thoughts 
arise  in  your  hearts?  He  steps  to  them  and  ex- 
tends His  hands.  Behold  My  hands  and  My  feet, 
that  it  is  I  Myself. 

The  stigmata  are  plainly  visible  in  His  palms 
and  in  His  feet  as  He  thrusts  them  from  beneath 
the  robe  of  dazzling  purity  that  He  wears. 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  213 

JESUS 

Handle  Me  and  see,  for  a  spirit  hath  not  flesh 
and  bones  as  ye  see  Me  have. 

He  turns  to  John.  He  lays  His  hand  upon 
the  shoulder  of  Mary,  His  mother.  Mary  Mag- 
dalene falls  at  His  feet.  The  others,  recovering 
their  courage  a  little  now  press  timidly  closer 
to  Him.  Whispers  run  through  the  apartment. 

VOICES 
It  is  He! 

He  is  risen  as  He  said! 
It  is  the  Lord ! 

JESUS 

(as  the  murmurs  die  away) 
Have  ye  here  any  meat? 
James  and  Nathaniel  turn  to  the  table  and 
reverently  and  humbly  present  Him  with  a  piece 
of  broiled  fish  and  a  morsel  of  honeycomb.  THE 
MAN  partakes  of  them  while  they  watch  in  si- 

lence'  JESUS 

These  are  the  words  which  I  spake  unto  you 
while  I  was  yet  with  you,  that  all  things  must 
be  fulfilled  which  were  written  in  the  law  of 
Moses  and  in  the  Prophets  and  in  the  Psalms 
concerning  Me. 


214  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

He  quotes  to  them  the  words  of  the  Sacred 
Books  and  they  listen  with  bated  breath  until  at 
last  He  resumes. 


Thus  it  is  written  and  thus  it  behooved  Christ 
to  suffer  and  to  rise  from  the  dead  the  third 
day,  and  that  repentance  and  remission  of  sins 
should  be  preached  in  His  name  among  all  nations 
beginning  at  Jerusalem.  And  ye  are  witnesses  of 
these  things.  Peace  be  unto  you  !  As  My  Father 
hath  sent  Me,  even  so  send  I  you. 

As  He  speaks  thus,  He  approaches  more  nearly 
the  ten  chosen  who  have  unconsciously  gathered 
together  and  now  stand  apart  from  the  rest. 

JESUS 

(breathing  upon  them) 

Receive  ye  the  Holy  Ghost.    Whosoever  sins 
ye  remit,  they  are  remitted  unto  them  and  who- 
soever sins  ye  retain,  they  are  retained. 
As  He  speaks,  He  vanishes  from  their  sight. 

JOHN 
(solemnly) 

The  Word  was  made  flesh  and  dwelt  among  us 
and  we  beheld  His  glory,  the  glory  as  of  the 
Only  Begotten  of  the  Father  full  of  grace  and 
truth. 


IV. 
THE  CONFESSION  OF  THE  DOUBTER. 

SCENE:  The  same  upper  chamber.  Time: 
One  week  later. 

Those  present  are  substantially  as  before.  With 
them,  however,  is  Thomas. 

PETER 

(expostulating) 
But  I  tell  thee  we  have  seen  Him. 

JOHN 
(earnestly) 
He  was  here. 

JAMES 
(urgently) 
He  breathed  upon  us  and  gave  us  power. 

NATHANIEL 
(pointing) 
He  partook  of  our  evening  meal. 

MARY  MAGDALENE 

(dreamily) 
I  saw  Him  in  the  garden.    He  is  risen. 


216  GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER. 

.CLEOPAS 

(nodding  his  head) 
He  walked  with  us  to  Emmaus. 

LUKE 
We  knew  Him  in  the  breaking  of  the  bread. 

THOMAS 
(stubbornly) 

As  I  told  ye  before,  Except  I  shall  see  in  His 
hands  the  print  of  the  nails,  and  put  my  finger 
into  the  place  of  the  nails,  and  thrust  my  hand 
into  His  side,  I  will  not  believe. 

There  is  a  breath  of  air  in  the  apartment,  and 
although  the  door  is  tightly  closed  and  barred, 
the  company  are  conscious  again  that  THE 
MAN  is  visibly  in  the  midst  of  them. 

JESUS 

Peace  be  unto  you ! 

The  Apostles  approach  Him  reverently  and 
surround  Him  except  Thomas,  who  stands 
amazed  and  staring.  Jesus  turns  toward  the 
doubter.  The  others  at  once  separate  to  give 
Thomas  access  to  the  Lord. 

JESUS 

(exhibiting  His  palm) 
Thomas,  reach  hither  thy  finger,  and  behold 


GETHSEMANE  AND  AFTER.  217 

My  hands;  reach  hither  thy  hand,  and  thrust  it 
into  My  side,  and  be  not  faithless  but  believing. 

THOMAS 

(falling  upon  his  knees) 
My  Lord  and  my  God! 

JESUS 

Thomas,  because  thou  hast  seen  Me,  thou  hast 
believed.      Blessed  are  they  that  have  not  seen 
and  yet  have  believed. 
He  vanishes. 

THOMAS 

(falling  upon  his  face) 
My  Lord  and  my  God! 


n''      -7Q7 


